SCI (spinal cord injuries)

Question 1

what is paraplegia

Answer 1

paralysis of the lower body

Question 2

what is hemiplegia

Answer 2

paralysis of only one side of the body

Question 3

what is tetraplegia / quadriplegia

Answer 3

paralysis of all 4 limbs

Question 4

what are 3 examples of incomplete lesions of the spinal cord

Answer 4

central cord syndrome
anterior cord syndrome
brown-sequard syndrome

Question 5

what are the 3 tests used to diagnose a SCI

Answer 5

light touch score - light touch sensation test
pin prick score - evoke painful stimulus
strength testing - voluntary contraction

Question 6

what are 2 therapies for SCI

Answer 6

supported treadmill walking
exoskeleton supported walking

Question 7

what are the benefits for SCI therapies

Answer 7

• reduces load on legs and feets and helps joints move
• over time, SC starts to rewire nad use intact pathways
• leads to more independence walking in minor cases

Question 8

what sensation is lost in brown sequard syndrome

Answer 8

reduced pain and temp/light touch info on the OPPOSITE side from SC damage

reduced motor function, vibration, position, and deep touch on the SAME side as the SC damage

Question 9

why does a zone of complete loss happen in brown sequard syndrome

Answer 9

all motor efferents and sensory afferents destroyed at the level of the spine

Question 10

what reflexes can be seen below the injury in brown sequard syndrome

Answer 10

only short latency reflexes below injury
- no long latency and voluntary responses because the info needs to travel to the brain

Question 11

why is hyperreflexia seen in the weak leg in brown sequard syndrome

Answer 11

no descending inputs (no top down control of muscles)

Question 12

what is babinski’s sign

Answer 12

present in babies and then reduces over time due to cortical inputs
normal response = toes flex down

Question 13

what does babinski’s sign show in SC injury

Answer 13

toes extend up and splay out
- no cortical inputs to communicate with the foot

Question 14

what info is kept/lost in anterior cord syndrome

Answer 14

keep mechanosensory info from DCML
everything else is lost
- all motor control and pain/temp below the injury

Question 15

what info is kept/lost in central cord syndrome

Answer 15

motor control of upper extremities is affected because of the damage to medial portion of corticospinal tracts

pain and temp info are lost below the level of the injury commonly in a “cape like” distribution across their upper back and down the posterior upper extremities