Trauma: Spine Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is the main weight-bearing column of the spine?
Anterior vertebral body
The anterior vertebral body is crucial for supporting body weight.
What ligaments hold the vertebral column and discs together?
Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
These ligaments play a key role in spinal stability.
What do the posterior pedicles support?
Laminae that house the vertebral canal
The laminae form a protective arch over the spinal cord.
Which structures stabilize the spine?
Facet joints, interspinous ligaments, and paraspinal muscles
These components work together to maintain spinal alignment and stability.
What is the Three Column Concept of spinal stability?
Three columns:
* Anterior Column: Ant 1/2 vertebral body + Ant Longitudinal lig
* Middle Column: Post 1/2 vertebral body + Post longitudinal lig
* Posterior Column: Pedicles/Lamina/spinous Process + Ligamentum flava & Supraspinous Ligament
This concept helps in assessing spinal injuries.
What characterizes primary injury to the spinal cord?
Mechanical compression or distortion of the spinal cord
This type of injury occurs immediately at the time of trauma.
What is a secondary injury in spinal cord trauma?
Ischemic, inflammatory, and other mechanisms
Secondary injuries can worsen the effects of the primary injury.
What is neurogenic shock?
Impairment of descending sympathetic pathways leading to hypotension and bradycardia
Neurogenic shock can occur after spinal cord injuries.
True or False: Neurogenic shock will respond to fluid alone.
False
Additional interventions beyond fluids are necessary.
What is spinal shock?
Flaccidity and loss of reflexes after spinal cord injury
Spinal shock may appear to be complete, even if the spinal cord is not fully destroyed.
Fill in the blank: The anterior column consists of the anterior half of the vertebral body and the _______.
Anterior Longitudinal ligament
This structure is essential for providing anterior stability.
What is primary injury in spinal cord injury?
Mechanical compression or distortion of the spinal cord
Primary injury refers to the immediate physical damage to the spinal cord.
What causes secondary injury in spinal cord injury?
Ischemic, inflammatory, and other mechanisms
Secondary injury occurs after the initial trauma and can worsen outcomes.
What is neurogenic shock?
Impairment of descending sympathetic pathways, loss of vasomotor tone, causes hypotension and bradycardia
Neurogenic shock will not respond to fluid alone.
What characterizes spinal shock?
Flaccidity and loss of reflexes after spinal cord injury
Spinal shock may appear complete, although the spinal cord may not be destroyed.
What defines the neurologic level in spinal cord injury classification?
Most caudal segment with normal function on both sides
This includes sensory and motor levels.
What is the sensory level in spinal cord injury classification?
Normal sensory function
This is determined at the most caudal segment with intact sensory function.
What is the motor level in spinal cord injury classification?
Lowest level with at least 3/5 power
This indicates the lowest segment where muscle strength is adequate.
What is the significance of a lower zone of partial preservation?
Indicates some preserved function below the level of injury
This can provide insights into prognosis.
What is the bony level in spinal cord injury classification?
Site of bony injury (less important)
There can be discrepancies between neurologic and bony levels.
What is quadriplegia?
Injuries to the first 8 segments - C spine injuries
Quadriplegia results in loss of function in all four limbs.
What is paraplegia?
Lesion below T1
Paraplegia results in loss of function in the lower limbs.
What characterizes a complete spinal cord injury?
No sensory/motor function below a certain level
Deep tendon reflexes may still be preserved.
