Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Flashcards
What is ASIA level E?
Normal
What is ASIA level D?
Motor Incomplete:
- Motor preserved below neurologic level
- Most key muscle below are > 3/5 MMT
What is ASIA level A?
Complete:
- No sensory or motor in sacral segments S4-S5
What segmental injury causes an Areflexive Bladder?
What does it cause?
- Below T12
- Urinary retention → BAD
- Cannot empty
What is ASIA level B?
Sensory Incomplete:
- Sensory, but not motor, preserved below neurologic level
- S4-S5 working
What segmental injury causes a Reflexive Bladder?
What does it cause?
- Above T10-12
- CAN empty bladder
What are the characteristics of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
- Flaccidity
- Areflexia
- Impaired bowel & bladder function
What is the typical mode of injury for Brown-Sequard Syndrome?
Stab wound
What mode of injury typically causes Anterior Cord Syndrome?
Flexion
At what spinal level injury do you need to watch for autonomic dysreflexia (AD)?
T6 & above
Is full recovery expected for Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Not typically
What is ASIA level C?
Motor Incomplete:
- Motor preserved below neurologic level
- Most key muscle below are < 3/5 MMT
What are potential complications of SCI?
- Ectopic bone (spontaneous bone growth in soft tissue)
- Orthostatic hypotension (20 SBP or 10 DBP)
- DVT
- Pressure Ulcers
- Spasticity
What do people with Brown-Sequard Syndrome loss?
Same side:
- Vibration
- Position sense
Opposite side:
- Pain
- Temperature
At what spinal level injury can you do a SELF transfer?
C7
What is Sacral Sparing?
Does it occur in complete or incomplete injuries?
- Spares: saddle region, big toe flexors and rectal sphincter
- Incomplete lesion
At what spinal level injury can you use tenodesis grasp?
C6 & C7
What is more affected in Central Cord Syndrome:
Motor or sensory?
Motor
At what level does Cauda Equina Syndrome occur?
L1 and below
Is Cauda Equina Syndrome a complete or incomplete injury?
Either
More Incomplete than complete
What do people with Anterior Cord Syndrome loss?
Below level of injury:
- Motor function
- Pain
- Temperature
At what spinal level injury can you learn a self-assisted cough?
C5
- Diaphragm, scalenes and weak pecs
- Elbow flexors → used for abdominal contraction
What is the typical mode of injury for Central Cord Syndrome?
Hyperextension
Is Cauda Equina Syndrome considered a central or peripheral nerve injury?
peripheral
What is more affected in Central Cord Syndrome:
Upper or lower extremities?
Upper extremities
What are the signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?
Above the level of injury:
- Fever
- Sweating
- Inc BP & HR
**symptoms will worsen until noxious stimulus is removed (exercise, catheter, etc.)
