Spinal Cord and Root Dysfunction

Question 1

spinal cord dysfunction presents with what symptoms?

Answer 1

pain
sensory disturbance
weakness
sphincter dysfunction
sexual dysfunction

Question 2

if the arms are involved, what area of the spinal cord is the problem likely to be in?

Answer 2

cervical levels

Question 3

how could you decifer if the problem is in the thoracic region?

Answer 3

arms not/minimally involved

Question 4

a problem in the lumbar spinal cord will not present with UMN features T or F

Answer 4

T

Question 5

how could you tell if the problem is in the lumbar spine?

Answer 5

only legs involved

Question 6

cervical and thoracic spinal cord problems will present with what motor neurone features?

Answer 6

UMN

Question 7

tone is increased in UMN/LMN?

Answer 7

UMN

Question 8

brisk reflexes suggest….

Answer 8

an UMN lesion

Question 9

clonus is present in UMN/LMN

Answer 9

UMN

Question 10

a patient with a/an _MN lesion will dorsiflex their foot

Answer 10

UMN

Question 11

a patient with a/an _MN lesion will plantarflex their foot

Answer 11

LMN

Question 12

fasciculations are present with what motor neuron problem?

Answer 12

LMN

Question 13

describe the level of muscle atrophy experienced in UMN and LMN lesions

Answer 13

UMN - none/late

LMN - early atrophy

Question 14

most common disc to prolapse?

Answer 14

C7

Question 15

an UMN lesion signifies a problem where?

Answer 15

cerebral hemispheres
cerebellum
brainstem
spinal cord

Question 16

a LMN lesion signifies a problem where?

Answer 16

anterior horn cell
nerve roots
peripheral nerves
muscles

Question 17

spasticity is a sign of,,,,

Answer 17

an UMN lesion

Question 18

if a patient has peripheral sensory loss is it an UMN or LMN lesion?

Answer 18

LMN

Question 19

if a patient has normal nerve conduction on EMG, is it likely to be an UMN or LMN lesion?

Answer 19

UMN

Question 20

a disc prolapse will cause _MN lesions; why is this?

Answer 20

LMN

disc will compress the nerve root which is a component of the LMN system

Question 21

main symptoms of thoracic disc prolapse?

Answer 21

thoracic pain

myelopathy

Question 22

main symptoms of lumbar disc prolapse?

Answer 22

leg pain

LMN symptoms

Question 23

where is the pain in spinal claudication?

Answer 23

back of thighs and calves

Question 24

leg pain is often _lateral in cauda equina

Answer 24

bi

Question 25

GU symptoms of cauda equina?

Answer 25

perianal sensory loss
genital numbness
erectile dysfunction
painless retention with incontinence

Question 26

“numb clumsy hands”

Answer 26

cervical myelopathy

Question 27

cervical myelopathy is usually _lateral

Answer 27

bi

Question 28

cervical myelopathy presents with _MN symptoms

Answer 28

UMN

Question 29

risk factors for failed back syndrome

Answer 29

diabetes
smoking
high BMI

Question 30

define failed back syndrome

Answer 30

chronic back pain following surgery causing recurrent, residual nerve compression

Question 31

Tx of failed back syndrome

Answer 31

physio
NSAIDs
antidepressants