Question

What pathophysiological changes occur in a spinal cord injury precisicely a flexion injury with resultant incomplete spinal cord transection at level C4-C5? Please elaborate i'm a bit confused with how the flexion impacts level C4-C5.Would the parient be considered quadraplegic?

Answer 1

The cervical injuries are very serious as they affects the central nervous system. C4-C5 injury is often caused by motor vehicle accidents, fall or trauma.
An incomplete injury of the spinal clrd means that some of the motor or sensory functions at the level of injury are preserved.
A flexion injury at C4-C5 results in backward displacement of the vertebral body which compresses the spinal cord. It also results in increased distance between facet joints and the inter spinous distance. The intervertebral disc space is reduced.
Flexion injury at C4-C5 results in anterior cord syndrome. The injury results in damage to corticospinal tract and spinothalamic tract. The damage to corticospinal tract results in motor paralysis of all four limbs. The pain and temperature sensation are lost. Autonomic dysfunctions such as bladder and bowel dysregulation are seen.
The patient is said to be quadriplegic due to complete motor loss caused by injury to corticospinal tract.