[MND] Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
ASIA A is
Complete Lesion
No sensory or motor function is preserved in the sacral segments S4-S5
ASIA D ?
Refers to an incomplete lesion: Motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and at least half of key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade greater than or equal to 3.
ASIA C ?
Motor function preserved below the neurological level, and more than half of key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade less than 3.
ASIA E?
Sensory and motor function is normal
Therefore ASIA A = Worst Further Down (A,B,C,D,E) = Better in terms of impairment
Explain PRIMARY DAMAGE for SCI (pathophysiology)
Most traumatic injuries involve contusion or tearing of the underlying cord by displaced bony fragments, disc or ligaments. This results primarily in a loss of axons due to damage of the white matter
Explain SECONDARY DAMAGE for SCI (pathophysiology)
Involves a loss of cells in the grey matter. Results from secondary processes such as change in cell membrane permeability, leakage of cell contents and arrival of blood cells and chemicals in response to injury and repair. This leads to swelling and increased cord pressure, can affect blood supply resulting in ischaemia, lack of proteins and failure to remove debris
ASIA stands for
The American Spinal Cord Injury Association
They use the ‘ASIA IMPAIRMENT SCALE” for the assessment and classification of functional levels of SCI, including defining complete and incomplete lesions
Patient with C6 ASIA will have use of
Patient has use of diaphragm (C4); use of shoulder shrug (C4); shoulder abduction/flexion elbow flexion (C5); wrist extensors (C6). They have limited movement of the arms and should be able to move their shoulders, bend their elbows, and extend their wrists. Can move head and neck. No elbow extension.
Neurological level?
The lowest normal part of your spinal cord is referred to as the neurological level of your injury
