SCI Classification Flashcards
ASIA B
Only sensory is preserved below NLI, and no motor function is present more than 3 levels below the motor level
Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one has saddle distribution sensory loss
Conus medullaris
How long after spinal shock do muscle stretch reflexes return?
2-3 weeks
What is the usual cervical level for achieving independence in SCI patients
C7
How long after spinal shock does bulbocavernous reflex return?
24 hours
What level of injury is high risk for conus medullaris syndrome
L1-2
What condition is delayed plantar response seen in
Spinal shock
Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one has hyporeflexia and which is hyperreflexia?
Cauda equina = hyporeflexia
Conus medullaris = hyperreflexia
Symptoms of anterior cord syndrome
Everything lost except the dorsal columns
ASIA A
Complete; no motor or sensory function in S4-5 dermatome
ASIA C
Less than half of the muscles below the NLI is >3/5
Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one has bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction
Both
Sensory level of injury
Most caudal segment of spinal cord with sensory 2/2 on both sides of body with both pinprick and light touch
How do you test for sacral sparing
- Check for voluntary anal contracture
- Check light touch/pinprick of S4-5 dermatome
- Deep anal pressure on rectal examination
Highest cervical SCI level that a patient can self-cath
C6
ASIA D
More than half of the muscles below NLI is >3/5
What is the most common incomplete SCI syndrome?
Central Cord Syndrome
Highest C-spine SCI level patient can use joystick for WC
C5
Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one is painful
Cauda equina
What dermatome do you test to distinguish between a complete and incomplete injury?
S4-5 dermatome
Highest C-spine SCI level patient can feed themselves
C5 with adaptive equipment
When doing pinprick testing, what differentiates a 0 from 1
0 = no sensation or unable to differentiate sharp from dull 1 = able to differentiate sharp from dull, but sensation is different that the face
Symptoms of brown-sequard
Ipsilateral motor and proprioception loss, contralateral pain and temperature loss
What is the highest level of c-spine injury that a SCI patient can drive a car
C5, with adaptations
In central cord syndrome, what is the pattern of recovery
Lower extremities –> bladder –> proximal UE –> hand function
What kind of neurogenic bladder is seen in conus medullaris syndrome
Areflexic bladder and bowel if low lesion, Hyperreflexic bladder in high lesions
What is zone of partial preservation
Dermatome and myotomes caudal to NLI that are partially innervated in complete SCI
Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one shows flaccid paralysis of LE
Cauda equina
Temporary loss or depression of all spinal reflex activity below NLI is known as…
Spinal shock
What is the highest complete SCI level that can live independently without the aid of an attendant?
An extremely motivated C6 complete tetraplegia
Motor level of injury
Most caudal muscle key group that is ≥3/5 and everything above is a 5/5
Neurological level of injury
Most caudal segment with both normal (2/2) and motor (≥3/4 with everything above 5/5)
Highest SCI level that a patient may possibly be a community ambulator
L3 with KAFO or AFO
