Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

Traumatic Causes

Answer 1

MVA 
MBA 
water based activities 
sport related 
animal related

Question 2

Atraumatic

Answer 2

vascular 
autoimmune related
infection 
cancer
degenerative conditions 
spinal canal stenosis

Question 3

Purpose of the ISNCSCI

Answer 3

establish the neurological level of injury

establish the severity of injury

Question 4

Neurological Level of Injury

Answer 4

sensory and motor function is completely preserved at and above that level

Question 5

Severity of Injury ASIA scale

Answer 5

Complete - no sensory or motor function at S4/S5 level
Incomplete - sensory and motor function at S4/S5 level if preserved

A = complete
B - incomplete. Preservation of sensory function only
C = incomplete. Preservation of sensory and motor function, - 3 motor level
D = incomplete. Preservation of sensory and motor function, >3/- motor level
E = normal

Question 6

Motor Assessment ISNCSCI Muscle Groups

Answer 6

assesses 10 key muscles group, L and R side 
UPPER LIMB 
C5 - elbow flexors 
C6 - wrist extensors 
C7 - elbow extensros 
C8 - finger flexors 
T1 - finger adductors 

LOWER LIMB 
L2 - hip flexors 
L3 - knee extensros 
L4 - ankle DF 
L5 - long toe extensors 
S1 - ankle PF

each group specific set of testing instructions

Question 7

Motor Assessment ISNCSCI Scoring

Answer 7

0 = total paralysis 
1 - palpable/visible contraction 
2 = active movement, gravity eliminated 
3 = active movement, against gravity 
4 = active movement, some resistance 
5 = active movement, full resistance

Question 8

Sensory Assessment ISNCSCI Procedure

Answer 8

Assesses every dermatome below the head
Pin prick - anterolateral system
Fine touch - dorsal column system
compare to normal sensation at face

Question 9

Sensory Assessment ISNCSCI Scoring

Answer 9

establish consistency at the tested point
compare to sensation at face - does it feel the same or different?
2 = normal
- when asked, sensation felt the same
- then tested positive 8/10 times
1 = altered
- when asked, said sensation felt different
- can be hypo or hyper sensitive
0 = absent
- no sensation

Question 10

C1-C4 Quadriplegia

Answer 10

Motor - head, neck and face
Sensory - back of head, neck, top of shoulders, face
Function
- dependent on assistance for all movment and ADLs
- may use activated technology
- power chair head controlled

Respiratory Function
C1-2 - ventilated, diaphragm paralysed
C3 - diaphragm partially paralysed, ventilated
C4 - diaphragm 1/3 still paralysed, but able to spontaneous breathe

Question 11

C5 Quadriplegia

Answer 11

Motor - gain deltoid, biceps and diaphgram
Sensory - gain lateral upper arm and shoulder sensation
Function
- dependent transfers and majority ADLs
- can bring hand to head - use splint to perfor ADLs like eating
- power chair joy stick

Question 12

C6 Quadriplegia

Answer 12

Motor - gain pectorals, serratus anterior, latissimus dorsi, wrist extensors
Sensory - gain lateral forearm, thumb and index finger
Function -
independent transfers - gravity eliminated plane, slideboard transfer, bed mobility
able to achieve gross grasp using tendonesis
can use manual wheelchair

Question 13

C7 Quadriplegia

Answer 13

Motor - gain triceps, wrist flexors, finger extensros
Sensory - gain middle finger
Function
- independent transfers against gravity
- upper limb overhead activity
- increased hand function, still use tenodesis

Question 14

C8 Quadriplegia

Answer 14

Motor - gain finger and thumb flexors
- no hand intrinsics
Sensory - gain fourth and fifth digit
Function - more hand function, still no intrinsic hand muscles

Question 15

Thoracic Paraplegia

Answer 15

Full UL movement and sensation 
Varied trunk paralysis 
- higher up = greater amount of paralysis 
T6-T12 innervate abdominal muscles 
LL paralysis

Question 16

Lumbar and Sacral Paraplegia

Answer 16

full UL and trunk movement and sensation
Varying degrees LL paralysis
From L3 down - tend to be able to walk using gait aid and AFO
L2 - unable to walk even with aids, don’t have knee extension