Spinal Cord Injuries Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the leading cause of SCI
Vehicle accidents
Who do SCI primarily affect
young adults
What are the three neurological levels of injury
Thorasic Lumbar and Cervical
What are the mechanisms of SCI
85%-related to trama
15%- tumors or ischemia
How do you indicate someones level of injury
Their last functioning neurological segament
How many vertibre are in each colum
Cervical-7
Thoracic-12
Lumbar-5
Does the neurological level correspond to the vertebrae level
No, the spinal cord grows since birth and the vertebrae does not
What is a myotome
An area of muscle supplied by the nerve root
What is a dermatone
An area of skin supplied by the same nerve root
Will someone with an incomplete SCI have function below the level of injury?
Yes, they will have some function and sensation
What is the fuction of the anterior (front) spinal cord track
Voluntary motion, pain, temp, light, touch, pressure
What is the function of the posterior (front) spinal cord track
deep touch, vibration
What are the two classifications of incomplete leissons?
Central - Greater loss to the upper extremity,
Lateral- One side of SC is injured, motor loss on same side, loss of pain, temp, and touch on other side
Where is Cauda Equina Located
Below the L2
What are signs and symptoms of Cauda Equina
loss of Bladder and or Bowel function
loss of sensation between the legs
Severe weakness to one or both legs
2 Stages of SCI recovery
Spinal Shock- hours or weeks, decreased reflex activity
Recovery- gradual increase in muscle tone and spasticity, hyper-reflexia,
What are some medical complications of SCI
Decreased vital capacity of lungs
Respiratory Problems
Autonomic Deflexsia
Skin breakdowns
explain autonomic dysreflexia
loss of control of the autonomic nervous system
What is Heterotrophic ossification
bony ossifications that occur in muscles, usually hips, knees, or sholderes
Level of Injury
The last functoning neurological segement
Myotome
The spinal segements that supply a muscle
Dermatome
An area of skin supplied by a single nerve root
Cauda equina
spinal cord injury below L2 “horses tail”
Heterotrophic Ossification
a potental complacation following a SCI where bone is in the muscle
