Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
Different class of spinal cord injury
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
What are the SCI types
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
What is spinal shock
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
What happens with spinal shock?
SLDR
Skeletal muscle paralysis
Loss of sensation
Decrease autonomic regulation eg thermoregulation
Reflex loss