SCI's

Question 1

what are the 3 main impairments SCI causes?

Answer 1

Motor Impairments
Sensory Impairments
Autonomic Dysfunctions

Question 2

Describe the motor impairments involved in a SCI

Answer 2

paralysis, spasticity, muscle atrophy, impaired fine motor control

Question 3

Describe the sensory impairments involved in a SCI

Answer 3

loss of sensation, pressure sores, neuropathic pain

Question 4

Describe the autonomic dysfunctions involved in a SCI

Answer 4

bowel and bladder incontinence, autonomic dysreflexia . Impaired thermoregulation

Question 5

what is autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 5

sudden, life-threatening high blood pressure triggered by stimuli like a full bladder or tight clothing

Question 6

what is a Tetraplegic injury?

Answer 6

injuries involving T1 and above (upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs affected)

Question 7

what is a Paraplegic injury?

Answer 7

injuries involving T2 and below (full function of upper limbs with trunk or limbs affected

Question 8

what does the pattern of sensory loss in SCI depend on?

Answer 8

(i) segmental level of the injury (high or low?)
(ii) the location of the injury within the cord (anterior, posterior, central?)
(iii) The ascending spinal cord pathways affected

Question 9

what is Monoplegia?

Answer 9

paralysis that affects one area of the body

Question 10

what is Hemiplegia?

Answer 10

paralysis that affects one half of the body but not both.

Question 11

what is Paraplegia?

Answer 11

paralysis that affects the body from the chest or waist down.

Question 12

what is Hemiparesis?

Answer 12

weakness affecting one half of the body

Question 13

what is Quadraparesis?

Answer 13

weakness affecting all four limbs

Question 14

what does the Lateral corticospinal tract control?

Answer 14

the distal muscle groups

Question 15

what does the Ventral corticospinal tract control?

Answer 15

proximal muscle groups

Question 16

what 2 things can cortical spinal tract lesions produce?

Answer 16

Positive and Negative Signs

Question 17

what are examples of NEGATIVE SIGNS from a cortical spinal tract lesion?

Answer 17

loss of normal function i.e. that normally controlled by the CST

example = loss of fractionation.

Question 18

what are examples of POSITIVE SIGNS from a cortical spinal tract lesion?

Answer 18

abnormal responses to normal stimuli + abnormal motor behaviour

Question 19

what is fractionation?

Answer 19

the loss of ability to control individual isolated muscle groups

*(a loss of normal function and so constitutes a negative sign)

Question 20

what are consequences of a Ventral CST lesion?

Answer 20

Cannot maintain upright posture
Cannot stand or walk
Subject may sit in slumped position