Spinal Cord Injury Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to spinal cord injuries, their classification, effects, and associated conditions.

Spinal cord injury

Damage to the spinal cord resulting in disruption of messages between the brain and the body.

Complete spinal cord injury

A type of spinal cord injury where there is total loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury.

Incomplete spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury where some motor and/or sensory function remains below the level of injury.

Paraplegia

Loss of motor control and sensation in the lower half of the body, typically due to thoracic or lumbar spinal cord injury.

Tetraplegia (quadriplegia)

Loss of motor function in all four limbs due to cervical spinal cord injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury

An injury resulting from a specific traumatic event such as accidents or falls.

Nontraumatic spinal cord injury

Injury resulting from non-traumatic causes like diseases or degeneration.

Autonomic dysreflexia

A life-threatening condition occurring in individuals with T6 or above spinal cord injuries, characterized by high blood pressure and other symptoms.

Orthostatic hypotension

A condition where blood pressure drops upon standing or changing positions, often seen in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

ASIA impairment scale

A classification system used to assess the severity of spinal cord injuries based on motor and sensory function.

Anterior cord syndrome

Damage to the front of the spinal cord, resulting in loss of pain and temperature sensation but preserved touch and proprioception.

Central cord syndrome

Damage to the center of the spinal cord, leading to greater impairment of the upper limbs than the lower limbs.

Brown-Sequard syndrome

Damage to one side of the spinal cord, resulting in unilateral motor and sensory loss.

Cauda equina syndrome

Damage to the lower end of the spinal cord, leading to symptoms like lower back pain and loss of function in the legs.

Tenodesis grasp

A grasp used by individuals with wrist extension and no active flexion of the fingers, where wrist movements create passive finger closure.

Pressure injuries

Skin damage due to prolonged pressure, often seen in individuals with spinal cord injuries due to immobility.

Sepsis

A life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection, commonly seen in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Pneumonia

An infection of the lungs that can occur in individuals with spinal cord injury due to decreased respiratory function.