Injuries of the Spinal Cord

Question 1

Hemisection

Answer 1

Self explanatory. Draw?

Question 2

What is the first period of acute spinal cord hemsection (spinal shock phase) (1-3days)
muscles
sensation
reflexes
blood vessels
sweating
bladder and bowels

Answer 2

Paraplegia below level (or quadriplegia)
Total anaesthesia below (think bout tracts though?)
areflexia
BV's dilate due to RVL
no sweating
atonic bladder and bowels

Question 3

What is the mechanism of recovery for acute complete spinal cord lesion

Answer 3

1) sprouting of presynaptic terminals

2) denervation supersensitivity ( increase in receptors)

Question 4

Resp and motor management of spinal cord injuries

Answer 4

Ventilators, for quads

Parastep and Rewalk for para’s

Question 5

Experimental stimulation of CNS in animals includes

Answer 5

• Nerve grafts
• Neutralising antibodies to a gorwoth inhbiting MAG
• NT-3

Question 6

What is the second phase of acute spinal cord lesion? (partial recovery) (weeks)
Muscle (reflex + tone)
bladder
BP
flexor reflex
Babinski reflex
sensation

Answer 6

increase in tone but no control
hyperactive stretch reflex
reflex emptying of bladder
BP increases but variable, autonomic dysreflexia
Comes back
extensor babinski
paraesthesias