Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
What is tetraplegia? What is another name for it?
Paralysis of all 4 limbs and the trunk with the lesion above T1
Quadriplegia
What is paraplegia?
An injury below T1
Upper limbs remain intact. No trunk or lower limb involvement
In terms of spinal cord injury (SCI), what is a complete injury?
Absence of sensory and motor function below the level of injury
What is an incomplete SCI?
Preservation of sensory and/or motor function below the neurological level of injury including the lowest sacral segment
How would you predict functional independence in SCI?
The level and classification of the injury
What would a lesion at C4 mean?
Complete paralysis below C4 - tetraplegia
What is central cord syndrome?
Involves the central region of the cord therefore affects UL>LL
Causes: C- spine hyperextension injuries, especially in presence of pre existing bony degenerative changes e.g. cervical spondylosis, spinal stenosis. Often haemorrhagic involvement further compressing the cord
What is posterior cord syndrome?
Involves posterior (sensory) area of SC Causes: trauma: Posterior impact or hyperextension injury, Non traumatic: compression through disc herniation or tumour, or Vit B12 deficiency
What is another name for anterior cord syndrome?
What is anterior cord syndrome?
Anterior spinal artery syndrome
Involves anterolateral 2/3 of cord
Causes: trauma such as high velocity hyperflexion injuries causing fractures /dislocations cord compression or anterior artery disruption
What is another name for anterior cord syndrome?
What is anterior cord syndrome?
Anterior spinal artery syndrome
Involves anterolateral 2/3 of cord
Causes: trauma such as high velocity hyperflexion injuries causing fractures /dislocations cord compression or anterior artery disruption
What are positive features of upper motor neuron syndrome?
What are negative features?
Positive features [such as clonus, spasticity and hypertonus]
Negative features [such as sensory loss and weakness]
What is autonomic dysreflexia?
Imbalances between parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of autonomic NS. It gets worse the higher the injury is. The body stays in fight or flight mode – the sympathetic NS remains unopposed
Symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?
Hypertension, bardycardia/tachycardia, nasal congestion, severe pounding headache, cold and clammy below level of lesion, flushing and sweating above level of injury
