Spinal Cord lesion

Question 1

Tetraplegia

Answer 1

impairment or loss of motor control and or sensory ruction in cervical segments of the cord
affects all 4 limbs

Question 2

Paraplegia

Answer 2

Impairment and loss of motor control and or sensory function in thoracic, lumbar or sacral segments of the cord

Question 3

Complete spinal cord lesion

Answer 3

complete loss of function below the point of injury
once you have lost it you will never get it back
leads to flaccid paralysis below L1 because damage to peripheral nervous system as the spinal cord ends here.
gradually anterior horn cells below level of lesion recover but have no control from higher centres, leading to worse spasticity and spasms

Question 4

Incomplete spinal cord lesion

Answer 4

some sparing of neural activity below level of lesion

may have motor sparing and sensory more affected or the other way round

Question 5

how to determine if a patient is a motor incomplete njury

Answer 5

anal sphincter: represents the end of the spinal cord. If a patient has voluntary anal contraction regardless of other contractions they are a motor incomplete injury

Question 6

central cord syndrome

Answer 6

injury to centre of the cord
damages nerves which carry signals from the brain to the spinal cord
loss of fine motor skills and bladder control and sexual function

Question 7

anterior cord syndrome

Answer 7

injury to the front of the spinal cord
damages to motor and sensory pathways
may retain some sensation but struggle with movements

Question 8

brown squared syndrome

Answer 8

damage to one side of the spinal cord

movement may be impossible on one side but fine on the other.