SCI Classification

Question 1

ASIA B

Answer 1

Only sensory is preserved below NLI, and no motor function is present more than 3 levels below the motor level

Question 2

Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one has saddle distribution sensory loss

Answer 2

Conus medullaris

Question 3

How long after spinal shock do muscle stretch reflexes return?

Answer 3

2-3 weeks

Question 4

What is the usual cervical level for achieving independence in SCI patients

Answer 4

C7

Question 5

How long after spinal shock does bulbocavernous reflex return?

Answer 5

24 hours

Question 6

What level of injury is high risk for conus medullaris syndrome

Answer 6

L1-2

Question 7

What condition is delayed plantar response seen in

Answer 7

Spinal shock

Question 8

Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one has hyporeflexia and which is hyperreflexia?

Answer 8

Cauda equina = hyporeflexia

Conus medullaris = hyperreflexia

Question 9

Symptoms of anterior cord syndrome

Answer 9

Everything lost except the dorsal columns

Question 10

ASIA A

Answer 10

Complete; no motor or sensory function in S4-5 dermatome

Question 11

ASIA C

Answer 11

Less than half of the muscles below the NLI is >3/5

Question 12

Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one has bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction

Answer 12

Both

Question 13

Sensory level of injury

Answer 13

Most caudal segment of spinal cord with sensory 2/2 on both sides of body with both pinprick and light touch

Question 14

How do you test for sacral sparing

Answer 14

1. Check for voluntary anal contracture
2. Check light touch/pinprick of S4-5 dermatome
3. Deep anal pressure on rectal examination

Question 15

Highest cervical SCI level that a patient can self-cath

Answer 15

C6

Question 16

ASIA D

Answer 16

More than half of the muscles below NLI is >3/5

Question 17

What is the most common incomplete SCI syndrome?

Answer 17

Central Cord Syndrome

Question 18

Highest C-spine SCI level patient can use joystick for WC

Answer 18

C5

Question 19

Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one is painful

Answer 19

Cauda equina

Question 20

What dermatome do you test to distinguish between a complete and incomplete injury?

Answer 20

S4-5 dermatome

Question 21

Highest C-spine SCI level patient can feed themselves

Answer 21

C5 with adaptive equipment

Question 22

When doing pinprick testing, what differentiates a 0 from 1

Answer 22

0 = no sensation or unable to differentiate sharp from dull
1 = able to differentiate sharp from dull, but sensation is different that the face

Question 23

Symptoms of brown-sequard

Answer 23

Ipsilateral motor and proprioception loss, contralateral pain and temperature loss

Question 24

What is the highest level of c-spine injury that a SCI patient can drive a car

Answer 24

C5, with adaptations

Question 25

In central cord syndrome, what is the pattern of recovery

Answer 25

Lower extremities –> bladder –> proximal UE –> hand function

Question 26

What kind of neurogenic bladder is seen in conus medullaris syndrome

Answer 26

Areflexic bladder and bowel if low lesion, Hyperreflexic bladder in high lesions

Question 27

What is zone of partial preservation

Answer 27

Dermatome and myotomes caudal to NLI that are partially innervated in complete SCI

Question 28

Cauda equina vs conus medullaris: which one shows flaccid paralysis of LE

Answer 28

Cauda equina

Question 29

Temporary loss or depression of all spinal reflex activity below NLI is known as…

Answer 29

Spinal shock

Question 30

What is the highest complete SCI level that can live independently without the aid of an attendant?

Answer 30

An extremely motivated C6 complete tetraplegia

Question 31

Motor level of injury

Answer 31

Most caudal muscle key group that is ≥3/5 and everything above is a 5/5

Question 32

Neurological level of injury

Answer 32

Most caudal segment with both normal (2/2) and motor (≥3/4 with everything above 5/5)

Question 33

Highest SCI level that a patient may possibly be a community ambulator

Answer 33

L3 with KAFO or AFO