spinal cord and root dysfunction

Question 1

UMN dysfunction signs

Answer 1

increased tone
no atrophy
brisk reflexes
plantars upgoing
clonus (involuntary contractions)

Question 2

LMN dysfunction signs

Answer 2

decreased tone
early atrophy
fasciculations
decreased/absent reflexes
plantars downgoing

Question 3

C 4 dermatome

Answer 3

shoulder

Question 4

C7 demratome

Answer 4

middle + index + ring finger

Question 5

t2 dermatome

Answer 5

armpit

Question 6

L2 dermatome

Answer 6

pockets

Question 7

L3 dermatome

Answer 7

knee

Question 8

L5 dermatome

Answer 8

lateral calf and big toe

Question 9

intermittent pain (at back of thighs/calves), worse on mobilising
eases at rest + bending forwards
altered sensation, heaviness/weakness

Answer 9

Spinal claudication

Question 10

Emergency, time is critical
Principal concern is urinary function.
Leg pain (often bilateral)
Perianal sensory loss to pinprick, genital numbness, erectile dysfunction
Painless urinary retention with urinary incontinence (s2-4)

Answer 10

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Question 11

‘numb clumsy hands’
Fingertip paraesthesia –> difficulty fine motor
reduced mobility
UMN (hoffmans[flick nail of middle finger + causes flexion of thumb or index] + Lhermittes sign [shooting buzz down neck to spine])

Answer 11

Cervical Myelopathy