Chapter 1: Introduction to Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of motor and sensory function.

Complete Injury

A spinal cord injury that results in total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site.

Incomplete Injury

A spinal cord injury in which some motor or sensory function remains below the injury site.

Quadriplegic

A person with paralysis affecting all four limbs, typically due to injury in the cervical spine.

Paraplegic

A person with paralysis affecting the lower half of the body, typically due to injury in the thoracic or lumbar spine.

Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD)

A potentially life-threatening condition caused by overactivity of the autonomic nervous system in response to stimuli below a spinal cord injury.

Neurogenic Bladder

Bladder dysfunction caused by disruption of nerve signals due to spinal cord injury.

Neurogenic Bowel

Bowel dysfunction resulting from loss of normal nerve control, leading to constipation or incontinence.

Spinal Shock

A temporary loss of reflexes and motor function below the level of injury, often occurring shortly after a spinal cord injury.

Asia Scale

A classification system for spinal cord injuries that assesses motor and sensory function.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, which can occur during spinal shock, leading to hypotension.

Bradycardia

A slower than normal heart rate, which can occur as a result of spinal shock.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure, often observed in patients experiencing spinal shock.

Immobilization Devices

Equipment used to prevent movement of the spine, protecting it from further injury.

CT Scan

A diagnostic imaging technique that can show bone detail and help assess spinal injuries.

MRI

A diagnostic imaging technique used to evaluate soft tissue structures, including spinal cord lesions.

Cervical Spine

The uppermost part of the spine, consisting of seven vertebrae, designated C1 to C7.

Thoracic Spine

The central part of the spine, consisting of twelve vertebrae, designated T1 to T12.

Lumbar Spine

The lower part of the spine, consisting of five vertebrae, designated L1 to L5.

Sacral Spine

The part of the spine located below the lumbar spine, consisting of five fused vertebrae.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle used in breathing, which can be affected by cervical spinal injuries.

Mechanical Ventilation

Assisted breathing provided when patients cannot breathe on their own, often required after high cervical injuries.

Tracheostomy

A surgical procedure that creates an opening in the neck to facilitate breathing.

Digital Stimulation

A technique used to provoke a bowel movement by manually stimulating the anal sphincter.

Foley Catheter

A flexible tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine; commonly used for neurogenic bladder management.

Spinal Cord Compression

A condition where the spinal cord is squeezed, potentially causing further neurological damage.

Skin Breakdown

A complication that occurs when pressure sores develop due to immobility.

Urogenital Dysfunction