PATHO: Spinal Cord Injuries

Describe a ***Spinal Cord Injury***

Primary - Initial Trauma to the Spinal Cord Tissue

* Common in Motor Vehicle Crashes


* __**Traumatic Injury**__ - Abrupt Hit to the Spine causing Damage to Vertebrae OR Severed Spinal Cord
* __**Non Traumatic**__ - Slow Internal Damage

Describe ***Spinal Cord Levels of Injury***

* **Vertebral** - Injury occurred at the Vertebral Level
* **Sensory** - Normal or Loss of sensation
* ^^__**Quadriplegia**__^^ - Injury to One of Eight ^^Cervical Segments.^^ Results in __Loss of Function of__ ^^__**Four Limbs**__^^
* ^^__**Paraplegia**__^^ - Injury to ^^Thoracic, Lumbar or Sacral^^ Regions. __Results in Loss of Function in__ ^^__**Legs**__^^
* **Paralysis/ Partial Paralysis** - Complete or Partial Loss of Voluntary Movement

Describe ***Spinal Shock***

Temporary Loss of Neurologic function below site of Injury

* Spinal Cord Swelling
* Assessment of Permanent Damage cannot be determined until Resolved

Describe ***Neurogenic Shock***

Disruption of Autonomic Pathways within Spinal Cord due to Low Blood Pressure and Slow Heart Rate

* Respiratory Failure
* Immobility

Describe ***Autonomic Hyperreflexia***

Excessively High Blood Pressure followed by Overzealous Vagal Response with Bradycardia, Heart Bloc, Vasolidation

* Immediate T(x)
* Injury at T6 or Higher
* Most Common and Life Threatening

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Spinal Cord Injury Manifestations

* Breathing Difficulties
* Loss of Bowel and Bladder (Constipation and BLadder spasms)
* BP Instability