Neuromuscular and spinal cord disorders

Question 1

What is the difference between atrophy and dystrophy?

Answer 1

Atrophy is caused by a group of diseases that cause progressive degeneration of the spinal nerves and muscle control is lost. Dystrophy is caused by a group of diseases that cause the progressive degeneration of the muscles caused by genetic defects.

Question 2

What is a disorder of the neuromuscular junction?

Answer 2

Myasthenia Gravis

Question 3

How do peripheral nerve disorders occur?

Answer 3

Spinal cord injuries and neuropathies

Question 4

What are the primary spinal cord injuries (etiology)?

Answer 4

1. cord compression
2. ischemia
3. transection
4. torsion or traction

Question 5

What is ischemia of the spinal cord?

Answer 5

lack of blood blow to the spinal cord due to atherosclerosis or blockage of the arteries

Question 6

What is transection of the spinal cord?

Answer 6

When the spinal cord is cut

Question 7

What is the torsion or traction of the spinal cord?

Answer 7

is the twisting or pulling of the spinal cord

Question 8

What are the secondary spinal cord injuries due to?

Answer 8

cellular response?

Question 9

What are the secondary spinal cord injuries?

Answer 9

1. ischemia
2. increased intracellular calcium
3. inflammation

Question 10

What is a calcium cascade?

Answer 10

release of intracellular enzymes

Question 11

What are the steps of a calcium cascade/

Answer 11

1. protein is broken down
2. free radicals are formed
3. lipid peroxidation
4. fragmentation of dna
5. nuclear breakdown

Question 12

C1 spinal injury

Answer 12

Quadriplegia, little or no control of the head, ventilator dependent

Question 13

C2-3 spinal injury

Answer 13

Quadriplegia, some neck control, ventilator dependent most of the time

Question 14

c4 spinal injury

Answer 14

decreased ventilatory capacity but may not require mechanical ventilation.

Question 15

c5 spinal injury

Answer 15

normal head, neck, shoulder and diaphragm control, some elbow movement

Question 16

c6 spinal injury

Answer 16

partial control of the wrist

Question 17

c7 spinal injury

Answer 17

full elbow extension, wrist flexion and some finger control

Question 18

t1 spinal injury

Answer 18

good finger control, can live independently

Question 19

t2-12 spinal injury

Answer 19

Paraplegia, full upper extremity control, some trunk control

Question 20

Lumbar spinal injury

Answer 20

Full trunk control, some control of hips, knees and ankles, may be able to walk with braces

Question 21

sacral spinal injury

Answer 21

Some foot control, some bowel and bladder function.

Question 22

What are the Spinal cord injury complications?

Answer 22

1. Autonomic dysreflexia
2. Neurogenic shock
3. Respiratory failure
4. Effects of immobility (pulmonary infections, urinary infections, thrombus, wounds, contractures)
5. Changes in bowel and bladder function
6. Sexual dysfunction
7. Chronic pain
8. Death

Question 23

What is autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 23

a massive sympathetic response that can cause headaches, hypertension, tachycardia, seizures, stroke, and death; most commonly associated with injuries above T6

Question 24

What is neurogenic shock?

Answer 24

an abnormal vasomotor response secondary to disruption of sympathetic impulses