Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

Different class of spinal cord injury

Answer 1

Complete = total loss of sensory and motor functions below the lesion/level of injury

Incomplete = some level of function remains below the lesion/level of injury

Question 2

What are the SCI types

Answer 2

Cord concussion = temporary disruption of cord function

Cord contusion = bruising of neural tissue with temporary loss of cord function

Cord laceration = tearing of neural tissues with loss of cord function. Return of function may be possible with very minor damage, otherwise likely to be permanent loss

Cord transection = severing of spinal cord causing permanent loss of function

Question 3

What is spinal shock

Answer 3

Spinal shock can occur with all other spinal injuries and can last from days to months = loss of all cord function activity and below lesion

Question 4

What happens with spinal shock?
SLDR

Answer 4

Skeletal muscle paralysis

Loss of sensation

Decrease autonomic regulation eg thermoregulation

Reflex loss