Week 6 Flashcards
What is the order of importance from the recovery standpoint in a person with tetraplegia?
- Hands
- Bowel/Bladder
- Sexual Function
- Walking
What is the order of importance from the recovery standpoint in a person with paraplegia?
- Bowel/Bladder
- Sexual Function
- Walking
How does the brain change/cortical reorganization post SCI?
- Learned non-use happens in the 1st 72 hrs of injury
- Decreased cortical representation
- Posterior shift in cortical map representation
- Decreased cortical motor excitabilitity
- Impaired cortical drive: altered muscle recruitment patterns, especially in the hands
- Decreased intracortical inhibition: decreased spine inhibition, especially in the hand intrinsic muscles
- Impaired somatosensation: decreased afferent input
What are the characteristics for UE recovery post SCI?
• Better in incomplete Bs, Cs, and Ds
• “Motor incompletes” have greatest potential for recovery
• Central Cord and Brown Sequard Syndromes have best
prognosis (caveat with Central Cord, intrinsic hand function is last)
• With complete injuries, may regain sensory/motor function at least one level below level of injury
What is the most common site of pain in patients with SCI?
Shoulder
What are the most common shoulder presentations in patients with an SCI?
- Rotator cuff tear
- Tendinitis
- Most of wheelchair users have carpal tunnel syndrome
The intensity of shoulder pain is inversely related to ____
The intensity of shoulder pain is inversely related to quality of life & physical activity
What are the things we need to be thinking about in terms of evaluation in patients with an UE dysfunction in a SCI?
- Pain
- Posture/Position
- Palpation
- Joint Mobility
- ROM
Why does shoulder subluxation in patients with a SCI generally occur?
Due to paralysis of stabilizers
What can shoulder subluxation in patients with a SCI lead to over the first two weeks?
Overstretching of capsular
support
How do we test for shoulder subluxation in patients with a SCI?
Sulcus Sign: longitudinal traction applied at 20-50 degrees abduction and neutral rotation
• 1+ Sulcus: less than 1 cm
• 2+ Sulcus: 1-2 cm
• 3+ Sulcus: > 2 cm
What is shoulder impingement in patients with a SCI?
Entrapment of SIT(no S), biceps, and bursa between the acromial arch and humeral head
What are the presentations of patients with a shoulder impingement in patients with a SCI?
- Abnormal Firing/ Muscle Activation (Hypertonicity)
- Poor Shoulder Positioning
- Often occurs with Subacromial Bursitis
- Excessively Anteriorly displaced humeral head
- Tight Posterior and/or Inferior Capsules
What causes biceps tendonitis in patients with a SCI?
- Pain causing excessive firing
* Overstretching of the tendon from lack of shoulder stability
What can add stress in patients with biceps tendonitis in patients with a SCI?
Abnormal muscle activation like a flexor synergy
What are the presentations of patients with a biceps tendonitis in patients with a SCI?
Hypertonicity of shoulder complex
What causes adhesive capsulitis in patients with a SCI?
- Pain limiting mobility causes the capsule to tighten
* Can also occur from a gross increase in tone (hypertonicity)
What are the presentations in a person with adhesive capsulitisin patients with a SCI?
• Decrease in AROM and PROM
- Flexion, Abduction, External Rotation*, Internal Rotation
• Develop generalized weakness and atrophy
• Not as easy to manage as an orthopedic AC
What is a neuropathy?
Gross lack of sensation
What causes a neuropathy?
Due to paresis and lack of stability, brachial plexus can become compromised with abnormal pain response
_____ can cause damage to the vasculature of the upper arm in a neuropathy
Paresis can cause damage to the vasculature of the upper arm in a neuropathy
What are some interventions that can be used in patient with an UE dysfunction?
- Functional Electrical Stimulation
- Kinesiotape
What are the shoulder pain risk factors in SCI?
- Duration of Injury: Worse at 12-15 years after injury
- Age: Older vs Younger
- Higher BMI: 0.5% increase = 20N (5lb)
- Gender: Females > Males
- Wheelchair Propulsion Style: Excessive Reaching on anterior capsule vs Neutral Position
- Pressure Relief: Depression Lift
- Activity Level: Active Lifestyle, Independent
What is the proper hand position in wheelchair mobility?
We want the AC joint to be right over the axis of the wheels. Leads to minimal stress on the anterior capsule
What do we see when a patient is too far forward in their wheelchair?
An excessive amount of backward reaching, which increases the amount of anterior stretch
What do we use to assess shoulder pain in patients in a wheelchair?
Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI)
What are the characteristics of the WUSPI?
- 15-item self report index for functional activities (w/c mobility, transfers, self care)
- VAS Scored 0 to 10 for each item: 0 – 150. 0=no pain, 10= worst pain
- Two items: Difficulty and Pain
- High test-retest reliability
- Valid: demo an increase in shoulder pain with a decrease in shoulder ROM
What are the functional interventions to do for patients with shoulder pain?
- Activity Based and Task-specific Training
- Electrical Stimulation and with motor performance
- Resistance Training
What should the focus of the task- specific training for patients with shoulder pain be?
- Increasing synaptic strength
- High repetition
- High intensity
- Task specific
- Optimal sensory input
- Rhythmic?
- Tools to help accomplish this?
What are the recommendations highlighted in Strengthening and Optimal Movements for Painful Shoulders (STOMPS)?
- Exercises to be performed 3x / week
- Allow one day rest between each exercise day
- May alternate exercises on days
- Use a calendar to show you have done the exercises
What are the parameters for stretching in the STOMPS Warm-up Phase?
- Hold each stretch for 15 seconds
- Repeat each stretch 3-5 times
- Do not bounce or apply forceful pull on the muscles or joints
1. Biceps and Pec Stretch
2. Post Capsule Stretch (Across the body)
3. Upper Trap/ Levator Stretch
What are the parameters for active movements in the STOMPS Warm-up Phase?
- Lateral Raise with thumb up
- Active IR/ER
- Scapular Squeeze
- Arm Diagonals (Crossbody Chops)
What are the resistance exercises highlighted in STOMPS?
- Rest for 1-2 minutes between sets
- Use weight as long as you can control the proper motion
1. “Thumb Up”- 3 sets of 15 repetitions
2. Shoulder ER w/ TB - 3 sets of 8 repetitions
3. Scapular Squeeze w/ TB - 3 sets of 15 repetitions
4. Crossbody Chops w/ TB - 3 sets of 8 repetitions
- 3 sets of 15 repetitions
Which is better for patients with shoulder pain as a result of an SCI, exercise or exercise and EMG?
Exercise and EMG
What are the challenges with exercises in patients with SCI?
Exercise Modifications • Wheelchairs vs Standing Patient Positioning • Prone, Supine, Basic Transfers Holding onto Equipment • Grip Gloves, Ace Wraps, TB Ties Basic Machines • Not always practical
What are the joint mobility and passive ROM considerations to keep in mind in patients with UE dysfunction due to an SCI?
• Remember cervical and first rib mobility
• Clavicular
• Glenohumeral
• Elbow
• Up to 70% of persons with tetraplegia and 29% of those with paraplegia had limited ROM of shoulder during or in the first year after IP rehab .
- Shoulder flexion most affected
What are the consequences of a bowel/bladder dysfunction after a neurological injury?
• High intravesical pressure lead to reflux into urethra • Hydronephrosis • Increased risk of: - Kidney infections - Kidney stones - Elevated risk of bladder Ca • Constipation, impaction, decreased appetite • Ileus: bowel obstruction • Diverticulosis • AD • Skin breakdown • Psychosocial
What is a diverticulosis?
A condition of having diverticula(little outpocketings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa) in the colon, because of weaknesses in the muscle layers of the colon wall
What are the characteristics of normal bladder function?
- Have sensation when bladder is full
- Can “hold” when needed
- Can empty bladder completely and with control
What are the levels of bladder function control?
- Sacral SC
- Pons
- Extrapontine regions of brain
What is normal bladder function dependent upon?
Neurological control of the detrusor muscle, the external sphincter, and peri-urethral pelvic floor muscles, which involves both autonomic and somatic innervations
What does sympathetic nerves do in normal bladder function?
It relaxes the detrusor and contracts the neck of the bladder
What does parasympathetic nerves do in normal bladder function?
It contracts the detrusor
What is the presentation of a bladder after a complete SCI?
Loss of voluntary control and sensory awareness; sacral reflexes may/may not be functional
What is the presentation of a bladder after an incomplete SCI?
Function depends on integrity of sacral reflex arc and cortical connection
What happens in the bladder during spinal shock?
Flaccid during spinal shock; and can last up to 6-8 wks
What are the options of what can happen to a person’s bladder after spinal shock?
- Areflexive Bladder
- Reflexive Bladder
When is a bladder permanently areflexive?
If sacral reflex arc lost (S4, 5 or
cauda equina). Lower motor issue
What are the characteristics of an areflexive bladder?
- Loss of parasympathetic stimulation. Info from brainstem can’t come down
- Detrusor remains flaccid
- Causes urinary retention
- Can have incontinence
- Retention and distention leads to UTI
- Typically see with injuries at or below T12
What is a reflexive bladder?
One where there is an intact sacral reflex arc and an intact S2-4
What are the characteristics of a reflexive bladder?
• Bladder empties reflexively once filled to level where
sufficient stretch on wall is present
• Can also be triggered via stimulus
• Typical in pts with c- or t- spine injuries (above T12)
• Detrusor-Sphincter Dyssynergia
What are some of the ways to trigger emptying in a reflexive bladder?
- Pressing/stroking of the abdomen
- Sensory stim
- Stroking of the inner thigh
- Credae maneuver (pressure over the abdomen and moving downward)
What is Detrusor-Sphincter Dyssynergia?
Involuntary external sphincter contraction with concurrent detrusor contraction, which results in a high intravescular pressure and a high post void residual, which leads to UTIs, septsis, urine back up, urinary stones
What is the goal of bladder management?
- Complete or near complete bladder emptying
- Voiding at appropriate times
- Avoidance of incontinence
What are some of the way to manage a dysfunctional bladder?
• Catheterization
- Indwelling vs. intermittent
• Training
- Regular emptying, followed by cath; restriction of fluid
- Crede, tapping abdomen, other sensory triggers (reflexive)
What are the characteristics of an indwelling catheters that we see in acute care?
• Includes a Foley Catheter and Suprapubic Catheter
• Indwelling portion with external bag
• Internal portion needs changing 1 x /month; empty
external bag when full
What are the advantages of an indwelling catheter: foley?
- Low maintenance
* Ease of use for patient and caregiver
What are the disadvantages of an indwelling catheter: foley?
- Increased risk of UTI
- Interference of bag
- Increased incidence of bladder Ca
- Skin issue (mostly males)
- Sexuality issues
- Social issues
What are the characteristics of an Indwelling catheter: Suprapubic?
• Surgically placed between umbilicus and pubic bone,
inserted in bladder
• Changed every 4 wks
• External bag
What are the advantages of an Indwelling catheter: Suprapubic?
- Larger bore, less occlusion
- Easier to manage and change
- No interference with sexual activity
- Less skin breakdown
What are the disadvantages of an Indwelling catheter: Suprapubic?
- Same risk of UTIs
- Potential infection post surgery
- Increased incidence of bladder Ca
What are the characteristics of an External Condom Catheter?
• Condom like latex sheath applied to penis, connect to
external bag
• Need urodynamic studies before using
• Can be a temporary intervention in bladder
management training
• Has to be able to voluntarily urinate and completely
What are the advantages of an External Condom Catheter?
- Increased independence
* Less invasive
What are the disadvantages of an External Condom Catheter?
- Catheter can be pulled off
- Skin breakdown
- Greater incidence of leakage
What are the OT/PT interventions for patients with bladder dysfunctions?
- Potential goals for those with C6 injury or below
- Ability to determine when external bag needs emptying
- Management of external bag valve
- Urinal management
- Leg management
- Don/doff condom cath
What are the characteristics of an Intermittent Catheterization Program (ICP)?
• Need established program - Cath every 4 hours - May limit fluid intake • Clean versus Sterile Technique - Most people use the clean technique
What are the advantages of an Intermittent Catheterization Program (ICP)?
- Decreased risk of infection
- Does not interfere with sexual function
- More conducive to active lifestyle
What are the disadvantages of an Intermittent Catheterization Program (ICP)?
- Level of independence
- Restricted intake volumes
- Compliance
What are the OT/PT interventions for a patient with an Intermittent Catheterization Program (ICP)?
- Clothing management
- Management of legs, positioning
- Use of adaptive equipment
- Set up of equipment for cathing
- Cathing technique
What is normal bowel function?
• Normally, feel fullness, hold and empty
• Control from:
- Intrinsic
- Autonomic: GI function with the rest of the body. Parasympathetic input excites the intestines
- Somatic: controls external anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles
What are the presentations dysfunctional bowel function?
- No anal sensation; absent anal contraction or weakness
- Neurogenic pathology
- UMN = reflexive bowel
- LMN = areflexive (flaccid) bowel
What is the presentation of bowel function, post SCI?
Decrease or loss of peristalsis and defecation reflexes with
spinal shock
What is the presentation of bowel function in a complete SCI?
Loss of both voluntary control and sensory awareness
What is the presentation of bowel function in an incomplete SCI?
Depends on integrity of sacral reflex arc and connection to brain
SCI disrupts autonomic and somatic input resulting in…?
- Colonic transit is slowed
- Voluntary control of defecation lost
- Reflexive defecation may be lost depending on the injury
What are the characteristics the intrinsic defecation reflex?
- Mediated by intrinsic system
- Stimulated by filling of the rectum, which causes a relaxation of the internal anal sphincter and intensification of the peristalsis
What are the characteristics the parasympathetic defecation reflex?
- Needed for normal defecation
- Comes from the sacral spine reflex
- Causes relaxation of the internal sphincter and intensification of the peristalsis
What happens when feces enters the rectum?
The internal sphincter relaxes, and you get simultaneous contraction of the external anal sphincter to prevent unwanted defecation
What are the characteristics of a reflexive bowel?
- S2-4 and corresponding peripheral nerves intact
- Sphincter has resting tone, relaxes reflexively with rectal distention; reflex defecation occurs
- Complete emptying may not occur
What are the characteristics of an areflexive bowel?
• Intrinsic defecation reflex intact, but parasympathetic
defecation reflex lost.
• Sacral reflex arc is interrupted, either at the level of the spinal cord injury or peripheral nerve damage
• Bowel will not empty reflexively
• Impaction of feces in the rectum can occur
• External sphincter and pelvic floor muscles remain flaccid, so may or may not have incontinence
• May or may not have sensation of fullness
What are some bowel management methods?
• Has to occur at regular intervals • Goal is to establish predictable, controlled schedule • Bowel conditioning • Reflexive - Stimulate reflexive defecation • Areflexive - Manual removal of stool
What are the OT/PT Interventions in the management of bowel dysfunctions?
• Getting appropriate adaptive equipment and training in use of this • Balance activities to facilitate reach • Toilet transfer training • Watch for complications
What innervates bowel and bladder function?
Sacral segments (S2-4)
What is the bowel and bladder presentation in a SCI above T12 (UMN)?
Reflexive (spastic) B&B
What is the bowel and bladder presentation in a SCI below T12 (UMN)?
Areflexive (flaccid) B&B
What spinal level is responsible for ejaculation in males?
T11-T12
What spinal level is responsible for erections in males?
S2
What are the things that need to be working normally in males in order to have normal sexual function?
A. Erection B. Arousal C. Orgasm D. Ejaculation E. Fertility/Fatherhood