Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
Involves damage to the spinal nerves through compression, bruising or severing of the spinal cord
Spinal cord injury
Differentiate complete SCI vs incomplete SCI
Complete: complete interruption of nerve tracts leading to TOTAL paralysis and loss of sensation
Incomplete: there is partial preservation between sensory and motor pathways below the level of lesion
Epidemiology for SCI
Males > Females
Young adults (16-30 years old)
Etiology of SCI
Traumatic
- MVA, sports, Falls
Non-traumatic
- Osteoporosis, Myelitis, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis
Pathophysiology:
mc MOI that may lead to anterior cord syndrome.
Identify which cord is most susceptible
Flexion
c4 to c7
t12 to l2
Pathophysiology:
Excessive axial loading force
Closely associated with flexion injuries
Compression
Pathophysiology:
MC MOI in elderly (falls)
May lead to Central Cord Syndrome
Hyperextension
Pathophysiology:
Flexion injury directed at a rotated Vertebral Column
Flexion rotation
Pathophysiology:
Horizontal force is applied to adjacent V.C. segment
Shearing
Pathophysiology:
LC MOI
Usually applied as a traction force w/c is common in whiplash injuries
Distraction
Indication whether there is incomplete or complete lesion
Incomplete lesions: (+) sacral sparing
Complete lesions: (-) sacral sparing
Identify and briefly explain 3 tests for sacral sparing
Perianal sensation: through light touch
Anal wink: insertion of finger in the anus
Big toe flexion = (+) anal sphincter
Dorsal column conveys the following sensation:
proprioception, vibration, 2 pt discrimination, kinesthesia
tract for motor pathway
Corticospinal tract
Lateral spinothalamic tract is responsible for transmitting __ and __
Pain and temperature
Anterior spinothalamic tract is responsible for transmitting __ and __
light touch and pressure
Identify which syndrome is being defined:
- Incomplete injury that mostly affects UE
- “Walking SCI”
Central cord syndrome
Identify which syndrome is being defined:
-(CST) Motor function is partially affected
-(LST) Pain and temperature is affected
-(AST) light touch and pressure is affected
Anterior spinal cord syndrome
type of syndrome where only 1 side of the cord is damaged d/t stabbing or gunshot injury
*below level of injury:
(paralysis) i/L side = (+) paralysis and loss of proprio
(sensation) c/L side = loss of pain and temperature
Brown-Sequard syndrome
known as “collection of spinal nerves”
- syndrome that affects the peripheral nerves of SC d/t fractures around the pelvic region.
- Has better prognosis and higher chance to recover from sensory and motor deficit
Cauda Equina Syndrome
known as a tapered region of the SC
Sacral cord of the spinal roots
areflexic bladder and bowel control
Conus Medullaris syndrome
clinical manifestation wherein there is loss of all neurological activity below the level of lesion (motor, sensory, reflexes, autonomic)
Spinal shock
presence of this reflex indicates the end of spinal shock
bulbocavernosus reflex/ osinski reflex
How to assess Bulbocavernosus Reflex?
Male: squeeze glans penis
Female: stimulate clitoris
= (+) contraction of anal sphincter
