Spinal Injuries Flashcards
What parts of the spinal cord gets damaged in tetraplegia and paraplegia?
Tetra-cervical so can cause breathing problems
Para-thoracic, lumbar or sacral with arm function spared
What kind of injuries cause central cord syndrome?
Hyperextension of neck
Arthritic neck in elderly
What is the presentation of central cord syndrome and what is spared in it?
Weakness of arms over legs
Perianal sensation & lower extremity power persevered
What injuries cause anterior cord syndrome?
Hyperflexion injury
Anterior compression fracture
Damaged anterior spinal artery
What is preserved in anterior cord syndrome?
Fine touch and proprioception
What is the presentation of Brown-Sequard syndrome?
Hemi-section of the cord
Penetrating injuries
Paralysis on affected side (corticospinal)
Loss of proprioception and fine discrimination (dorsal columns)
Pain and temperature loss on the opposite side below the lesion (spinothalamic)
What is spinal shock?
Transient depression of cord function below level of injury
Flaccid paralysis
Areflexia
Last several hours to days after injury
What is neurogenic shock?
Hypotension Bradycardia Hypothermia Injuries above T6 Secondary to disruption of sympathetic outflow
What are four types of disc prolapse?
Bulge (generalised) – common, majority asymptomatic, relevance?
Protrusion (annulus weakened but still intact)
Extrusion (through annulus but in continuity)
Sequestration (desiccated disc material free in canal)
What is the presentation of spinal claudication?
Usually bilateral
Sensory dysesthesia
Possible weakness (drop foot – tripping)
Takes several minutes to ease after stopping walking
Worse walking down hills because the spinal canal becomes smaller in extension, better walking uphill or riding bicycle
What are the three types of spinal stenosis?
Foraminal
Lateral recess
Central
