Question

What are the types of spinal cord injuries and the category of injury?

Answer 1

Spinal cord injury isthe trauma or insult to the spinal cord or complete disruption of the nerve tracts and neurons.The injury can involve contusion,laceration or compression of the cord.Some of the most causes of spinal cord injury are motor vehicle accidents ,falls,sporting and industrial accidents.Some of the complications are respiratory failure,autonomic dysreflexia ,spinal shock and even death.The vertebrae involved are Cervical,Thoracic,Lumbar.THere two types of spinal cord injuries they are Incomplete spinal cord injury and complete spinal cord injury.The incomplete injury is a type of spinal cord injury in which the cord is partially severed,allowing the injured person to retain some function.The complete injuries occur when the spinal cord is fully severed .Spinal cord syndromes in incomplete injury are

a Central cord syndrome-it occurs from a lesion in the central portion of the spinal cord.The upper extremities has significant loss of motor function.

b.Anterior cord syndrome-It is caused by damage to the anterior portion of the grey and white matter of the spinal cord.Motor function ,pain and temperature sensation are lost.

c.Posterior cord syndrome-It is caused by damage to the posterior grey and white matter of the spinal cord

d.Conus Medullaris syndrome-it follows damage to the lumbar nerve roots and conus medullaris in the spinal cord.

e Cauda equina syndrome-It occurs from injury to the lumbosacral nerve roots below the conus medullaris.

Depending on the level of the cord injury

a Tetraplegia-it is otherwise known as Quadriplegia,is the injury occuring between C1 and C8 and involves four extremities.

b.Paraplegia-occuring between T1 and L4 and involves only the lower extremities.

Then there is another set of spinal injuries which includes

a Cervical injuries-Injury at C2 to C3 and is usually fatal.Involvement above C4 causes respiratory difficulty and paralysis of the four extremities.

b.Thoracic level injuries-It is the loss of movement of the chest,trunk,bowel and bladder and legs may also occur depending on the level of injury.Leg paralysis may also occur.

c Lumbar and Sacrl injuries-Loss of movement and sensation of the lower extremities.Injury above S2 in males allows them to have an erection,but are unable to ejaculate due to sympathetic nerve damage.