Week 11: Advanced Neuro Assessment Flashcards
how many people in BC with spinal cord injuries?
Over 12,000
How many new SCI cases in BC every year
500
Leading causes of SCI
Motor vehicle accidents (35%)
Falls (17%)
SCI classified by
- Mechanism of injury
- Level of injury
- Degree of injury
Traumatic mechanism of injury
motor vehicle accident
fall
sports
violent incident
Non traumatic mechanism of injury
tumor
inflammation
infection
birth defect
Skeletal level of injury
vertebrae and ligaments damaged
the higher the injury the more body parts affected
cervical: tetrapalagic
thoracic/lumbar: paraplegic
Neurological level of injury
lowest segment of normal motor and sensory function (bilateral)
complete injury
spinal cord completely severed
complete loss of mobility and sensation below the injury
Incomplete injury
partial cord severance
some movement and/or sensory below the level of injury
The inflammatory process during second injury is important to:
eliminate invading pathogens
remove debris
promote wound healing
Diagnostic studies for SCI
CT scan to initially assess stability of injury, location and degree
MRI is gold standard fro imaging neurological tissues, including spinal cord (soft tissue)
comprehensive neurological examination
Immediate goals
patent airway
adequate ventilation
adequate circulating blood volume
Thoracic and lumbar injuries
less intense than cervical injury
respiratory compromise not as severe
bradycardia is not a problem
specific problems treated symptomatically
Assessment
motor and sensory examination
note spontaneous movements
