spinal cord injury

Question 1

what is a spinal cord injury

Answer 1

a complete or incomplete injury
- complete- total loss of function below the lesion
- incomplete- partial loss of function at and below lesion

Question 2

what are the spinal cord injury classifications

Answer 2

1. Cord concussion: temporary disruption to function
2. Cord contusion: bruising to the cord with temporary loss of function
3. Cord laceration: a cut/ tear in the cord with loss of function (may be able to regain some function)
4. Cord transection: the severing of the cord with permanent loss of function

• Primary injury- mechanical disruption of the cord
• Secondary injury- subsequent inflammatory response

Question 3

spinal shock

Answer 3

• Loss of core function at and below the lesion that occurs immediately after the primary injury
• Loss of reflexes at and below the lesion
• Skeletal muscle paralysis at and below the lesion
• Loss of sensation at and below the lesion
• Decrease ability to thermoregulation at and below the lesion

It can last days to months and then it can wear off. When it wears off, reflexes below lesion return and so does any partial function

Question 4

what is nerve damage

Answer 4

nerve root avulsion: roots torn from the spinal cord