Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
Definition
Compromised integrity of the spinal cord
CNS disorder - PNS can also be compromised**
Level of injury can vary
Extent of injury at the level can vary - complete or incomplete
CNS or PNS disorder
CNS
Aetiology (cause)
Traumatic
- MVA, MBA
- Falls
- Sporting accident
Atraumatic
- degeneration of vertebral column
- stroke
- multiple sclerosis
- cancer
- infection
How is it diagnosed
- Clinical assessment
- International standard for neurological classification of SCI (ISNCSCI)- sensory: DCS, ALS
- motor (patient in supine)
- Scans
Classifications
Neurological level - level of spinal cord with NORMAL sensory and motor function bilaterally (all levels above normal)
Severity of injury at the level (A-E scale)
Tetraplegia/quadriplegia - Cervical
Paraplegia - Thoracic, Lumbar/Sacral
Severity of injury classification A
complete
No sensory or motor Fx @ S4/5
Wheelchair bound
Severity of injury classification E
able-bodied - normal functions
Severity of injury classification B, C or D
incomplete
Sensory and/or motor Fx @ S4/5
Define Tetraplegia/Quadrapledia
Cervical SCI
affects all limbs and trunk
Define Paraplegia
injury below cervical region
- thoracic SCI - trunk and LL
- lumbar and sacral SCI - LL only
Problems
Bilateral impairments
Sensory - Somatosensory
Motor:
- paresis
- abnormal muscle tone - hypertonia: spasticity
- hypotonia in muscles that have sustained LMN injury
Bilateral or unilateral presentation
Bilateral
UMN or LMN affected
UMN
Management
Surgical and/or conservative
How to test DCS?
Somatosesation Ax - compare to face
Light touch
