Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

GSW, MVC, Spinal Concussion, disease (Polio, spina bifida)

Primary Spinal Cord Injury

Initial trauama and tissue destruction affecting the spinal cord

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury

Inflammation, edema, ischemia as result of destruction of tissue

SCI Risk Factors

Blunt trauma

Penetrating trauma

Vertebral Fracture

Cervical Spinal Injury Fracture

C1-C4 Loss of function of arms and legs (Quadriplegia)

Thoracic Spinal Injury Fracture

Paraplegia, incontinence, abdominal muscle control

Lumbar Spinal Injury Fracture

Loss of hips and legs

Sacral spinal cord injury

Loss of hips and leg function

SCI Objective data

Complete or partial loss of function of areas below site of injury

Elevated risk of DVT and skin breakdown

Muscle spasms

*HypOtension

SCI Pharmacology

Corticosteroids

DVT prophylaxis

Vasopressors

SCI Treatments

NO CURE

Immobilization of injury

Surgical Repair of vertebral fracture

Therapeutic hypothermia

Electrical neuromodulation

Autonomic Dysrelfexia

T6 or above injury Sympathetic stimulation reaches brain but parasympathetic compensation does not travel below level of injury

HTN

Pounding headache

Blurred vision

Flushed skin/sweating