SCI Types & Terminology

What are the different types of SCI?

complete lesion

incomplete lesion

A lesion to the spinal cord where there is no preserved motor or sensory function below the level of the lesion

complete lesion

A lesion to the spinal cord with incomplete damage to the cord. There may be scattered motor function, sensory function or both below the level of the lesion

incomplete lesion

A term used to describe injuries that occur below the L1 level of the spine

cauda equina injury

A cauda equina injury is considered to be a?

lower motor neuron lesion

Designated sensory areas based on spinal segment innervation

dermatome

A term used to describe the area below the neurologic level of injury that contains partial sensory or motor innervation

zone of partial preservation

A term adopted by the American Spinal Injury Association to describe injuries that occur at the level of the cervical spine

Tetraplegia (quadriplegia)

A surgical release of a tendon in order to decrease spasticity and improve function

tenotomy

Patients with tetraplegia that do not possess motor control for grasp can utilize the tight finger flexors in combination with wrist extension to produce a form of grasp

tenodesis

A physiologic response that occurs between 30 to 60 minutes after trauma to the spinal cord and can last up to several weeks

spinal shock

Spinal shock presents with?

total flaccid paralysis

loss of all reflexes below the level of injury

An incomplete lesion where some of the innermost tracts remain innervated

sacral sparing

What are characteristics of sacral sparing?

sensation of the saddle area

movement of the toe flexors

rectal sphincter contraction

A surgical resection of the sensory component of a spinal nerve in order to decrease spasticity and improve function

rhizotomy

A term used to describe injuries that occur at the level of the thoracic, lumbar or sacral spine

paraplegia

A form of abnormal breathing that is common in tetraplegia where the abdomen rises and the chest is pulled inward during inspiration. On expiration the abdomen falls and the chest expands

paradoxical breathing

The lowest segment of the spinal cord with intact strength and sensation

Neurologic level

Muscle groups at the neurologic level must receive a grade of?

fair

The bladder empties reflexively for a patient with an injury above the level of?

T12

In a neurogenic reflexive bladder the sacral arc remains?

intact

In neurogenic nonreflexive bladder the bladder is flaccid as a result of?

cauda equina or conus medullaris lesion

Describe the sacral reflex arc for a neurogenic nonreflexive bladder

damaged

A surgical removal of a segment of a nerve in order to decrease spasticity and improve function

neurectomy

Designated motor areas based on spinal segment innvervation

myotome

A surgical procedure that severs certain tracts within the spinal cord in order to decrease spasticity and improve function

myelotomy

A principle of mechanics used during mobility training with upper extremity weight bearing used as a fulcrum for activity

head hips relationship

The head hips relationship requires the head to?

move in the opposite direction from the hips