Injuries of the Spinal Cord

Question 1

Hemisection

Answer 1

Self explanatory. Draw?

Question 2

What happens after acute complete transection of the spinal cord Spinal shock and recovery (partial)

Answer 2

1)Spinal Shock: -A period of areflexia, 1-3 days, due to loss of excitatory inputs. - AT T8, paraplegia (flaccid), no sensation below, areflexia, blood vessles dilated (due to RVL pathway interruption), sweating absent, bladder and bowels atonic 2)(partial) Recovery: -increase in tone, voluntary use remains absent -hyperactive reflexes -spontaneous bladder emptying -BP increased but variable (autonomic dysreflexia) -flexor reflex and extensor plantar

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