32. Spinal Injury and Spine Motion Restriction

Anterior cord syndrome

A spinal cord injury pattern causing loss of motor function and pain and temperature sensation below the injury while preserving light touch vibration and proprioception

Brown-Séquard syndrome

spinal cord injury caused by damage to one side of the cord resulting in loss of motor function and proprioception on the same side and loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side

Central cord syndrome

The most common incomplete spinal cord injury typically affecting the cervical region and causing greater weakness in the arms than the legs often with bladder dysfunction

Cervical spine

The seven vertebrae of the neck region labeled C1 through C7 forming the uppermost portion of the spinal column

Coccyx

The small triangular bone at the base of the spine commonly called the tailbone formed by the fusion of four vertebrae

Complete spinal cord injury

An injury in which there is total loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury due to complete disruption of spinal cord pathways

Disk

A fibrocartilaginous cushion located between adjacent vertebrae that acts as a shock absorber and allows for spinal flexibility

Incomplete spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury in which some motor or sensory function is preserved below the level of injury because the cord is not fully disrupted

Light touch tracts

Ascending nerve pathways in the spinal cord that carry sensations of gentle non

Lumbar spine

The five vertebrae of the lower back region labeled L1 through L5 which bear most of the body's weight

Motor tracts

Descending nerve pathways in the spinal cord that carry signals from the brain to muscles to control voluntary movement

Neurogenic hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure resulting from disruption of the autonomic nervous system following a spinal cord injury causing loss of vascular tone

Pain tracts

Ascending nerve pathways in the spinal cord primarily the spinothalamic tract that transmit pain and temperature sensations from the body to the brain

Priapism

A persistent often painful erection of the penis not related to sexual arousal which can occur following a spinal cord injury due to loss of autonomic control

Sacral spine

The five vertebrae below the lumbar spine that fuse in adulthood to form the sacrum connecting the spinal column to the pelvis

Self

restriction

Spinal column

The bony structure made up of 33 vertebrae that encases and protects the spinal cord and provides structural support for the body

Spinal cord

The cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers that runs through the spinal canal serving as the primary conduit for signals between the brain and the rest of the body

Spinal shock

A temporary condition following a spinal cord injury characterized by flaccid paralysis loss of reflexes and loss of sensation below the level of injury which may resolve over hours to weeks

Spine motion restriction (SMR)

The practice of limiting movement of the spine in a patient with a suspected spinal injury in order to prevent further damage to the spinal cord

Thoracic spine

The twelve vertebrae of the mid-back region labeled T1 through T12 each of which articulates with a pair of ribs

Vertebrae

The individual bony segments that stack together to form the spinal column each with a central opening through which the spinal cord passes