SCI Flashcards
two types of SCI
complete or incomplete
3 types of incomplete SCI syndromes
Central cord syndrome: incomplete injury that is commonly found on the cervical spine. Weakness in the upper extremities rather than the lower extremities
Anterior cord syndrome: incomplete injury to the anterior portion of the spinal cord. Results in the loss of motor and pinprick sensation; posterior portion of the spinal cord spared and leaving very minimal dysfunction to proprioception and vibration sensations.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome: damages inflicted to one half of the spinal cord (left or right side). Deficits caused by lesions located on one half of the spinal cord will result in the loss of proprioception and vibration, ipsilateral paresis, contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation
Asia impaired scale
Used to determine the severity of a spinal cord injury and how it impacts the individual’s ability to function.
a- complete
b- sensory incomplete
c-motor incomplete
d- motor incomplete
e- normal
Traumatic vs Non-Traumatic
Traumatic: occurs because of impact to the spinal cord from a traumatic event like a car crash, a fall, a violent act or a sporting activity.
Non-Traumatic: occurs because of a cancerous tumor, inflammation or infection, acquired diseases, congenital disorders
pervalence
in Canada is estimated to be 85,556 persons
Almost half of new traumatic injuries occur in people 15 to 39 (mainly male) as a result of motor vehicle accidents, sporting accidents and other external causes.
Body Functions & Structures (C1-C8)
C1-C4: complete paralysis of the body below the injury.No control over, arms, hands, torso, legs
C5: can bend elbows, but no movement on the wrist, hands.
C6: Nerves affect wrist extension, paralysis in hands, trunk and legs typically.
C7: Some arm movement with weakened wrist and hand function
C8: Nerves control some hand movement. Significant loss of hand and finger dexterity.
C1-C4 – Loss of sensation in all four limbs, May not be able to breath on their own, cough and controlled movements
C5 – loss of sensation in wrists and hands
C6 – Loss of fine motor sensations
C4-C8- Can speak and use diaphragm but breathing is weakened
Body Functions & Structures (T1-T5)
Corresponding nerves affect the upper chest muscles, trunk muscles.
Arm and hand function are “normal”
Injuries usually affect the trunk and the legs (paraplegia)
Most likely to use a manual wheelchair
Body Functions & Structures (T6-T12)
Corresponding nerves affect the trunk muscles (back and abdomen) depending on level of injury
Usually results in paraplegia
“normal” upper body movement
Fair to good ability to control trunk in seated position
Foot drop
Inability to lift the front part of the foot.
motor functions affected in an injury to L1-L5
L1 & L2- Hip flexion
L3- Knee extension
L4- Dorsiflexion
L5- Toe extension
sensory functions affected in injury L1-L5
L1- Lower back, hip, and groin area
L2- Upper thighs
L3- Inner thighs and medial knee
L4- Outer thigh, knee and inner lower leg
L5- Outer lower leg, top of the foot, and first toe
Hypotonia
Reduced muscle tone
most common symptom in injury to L1-L5
spasticity- Involuntary muscle stiffness and spasms.
motor function affected in injury of S1-S5
S1- Plantar flexion and foot eversion
S2- Toe flexion and intrinsic foot muscles
S3-S5- Pelvic floor muscles, bowel and bladder control
Hypoesthesia
Decreased sensation
Anesthesia
Complete loss of sensation
Dysesthesia
Painful or unpleasant sensations
Proprioceptive dysfunction
Loss of body position awareness
Orthosis for injuries at the Cervical levels
Static wrist orthosis - Can be used to maintain the normal position of the hand and wrist and reduce the risk of contractures and deformities (C1-C4)
Dynamic triceps-driven orthosis - Can be used in case of weak distal muscles and strong proximal muscles (C6)
Static wrist orthosis - Can be used for the function of the hand grip (C6)
Profiling bed
a bed similar to a hosptial bed with adjusted head,back and leg rest
role of ota for all three parts of the spinal cord injuries
cervical- transfer techniques
thoracic- breathing exercises
lumbar- functional electrical stimulation
incomplete vs complete
Incomplete: partial loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury.
Complete: total loss of motor and sensory function below the level of the injury.
what section is the most severe
The higher the level of injury, the more the dysfunction
how many verebrea in each section of the spinal cord
cervical- 8
throsic- 12
lumbar- 5
sacral- 5
coccygeal- 1
spasticity
Involuntary muscle stiffness and spasms.
Muscle atrophy
Loss of muscle mass due to lack of movement.
Tenodesis function
A hand movement that helps people with spinal cord injuries pick up and release objects. It occurs when the wrist extends and the fingers flex into the palm, and when the wrist flexes and the fingers open.
Autonomic Dysreflexia (Hyperreflexia)
a life-threatening condition that causes a sudden spike in blood pressure. It’s an overreaction of the involuntary nervous system. happens at or above T6
when does the spinal cord end (when the pns starts)
L1
what autonmic fuctions are affected in the sacral level
bowel and bladder
flaccidity
weakness or paralysis and reduced muscle tone
