SPINAL CORD INJURIES

#Spinal Cord Injury
Introduction
 Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a low-incidence, high cost
disability
 SCI requires tremendous change in an individual’s
lifestyle





Etiology
 TRAUMATIC
 Most frequent cause of
adult SCI
 Result from MVA, falls,
GSW, etc
 NON-TRAUMATIC
 Approx 30% of all SCI
 Result from disease or
pathological influence
 Congenital SCI
 Vertebral subluxations
due to RA or DJD
 Infections
 MS
 ALS

Classification of SCI
 DESIGNATION OF LESION LEVEL
 LEVEL
 COMPLETE OR INCOMPLETE
 TETRAPLEGIA OR PARAPLEGIA
 Example: C7 complete tetraplegia

Classification of SCI continued
 LEVEL
 Is the most distal UNINVOLVED nerve root segment with
normal function
 Normal function: the muscles innervated by the most distal
nerve root must have at least a 3+/5 MMT grade indicating
sufficient strength for functional use


Classification of SCI continued
 COMPLETE LESION
 No sensory or motor function below the level of the lesion.
 Caused by a complete transection (or severing), severe
compression, or extensive vascular impairment to the spinal
cord
 INCOMPLETE LESION
 Preservation of some sensory or motor function below the level
of injury
 Often result from contusions produced by pressure on the cord
or swelling within the spinal canal
 Clinical picture is unpredictable

Classification of SCI continued
 TETRAPLEGIA
 Involvement of all four extremities and the trunk, including
the respiratory muscles
 Results from lesions of the cervical cord
 PARAPLEGIA
 Involvement of all or part of the trunk and both lower
extremities
 Results from lesions of the thoracic or lumbar spinal cord or
sacral roots                   

Specific Incomplete Lesions
 1. Anterior Cord Syndrome
 2. Brown-Sequard’s Syndrome
 3. Cauda Equina Injuries
 4. Central Cord Syndrome
 5. Posterior Cord Syndrome
 .   

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SoDPFhT-u8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_RPHu1Xkk8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV6_ziHQ9tYni.                       
Mechanisms of Injury 
 Various mechanisms, often in combination, produce.                                         Most frequently from indirect forces produced by movement of the head stability.                                                                  Some areas of the spine are more vulnerable to injury due to mobility & lack of stability.