Spinal Cord Injuries Neuro

Front 1

Spinal Cord Injuries result in

Back 1

-loss of sensory & motor function, causing serious disability

Front 2

Spinal Cord Injures can be caused by

Back 2

-tumors
-infections
-congenital defects
-accidents/trauma
-degenerative diseases

Front 3

Complete transection of spinal cord injury

Back 3

complete paralysis and loss of sensation below level of inj.

Front 4

Partial transection of spinal cord injury

Back 4

affects are less debilitating, loss of motor, outcome different than complete transection

Front 5

Spinal Cord Injuries of

C1-C3

Back 5

almost always result in death

Front 6

Spinal Cord Injuries of

C3-C5

Back 6

usually become respirator dependant

Front 7

Spinal Cord Injuries of

C6-C7, Upper Thoracic

Back 7

become quadraplegic

Front 8

Spinal Cord Injuries of

Lower Thoracic, trauma to lumbar

Back 8

paraplegia

Front 9

Spinal Injuries
Emergency Care

Back 9

treat as if have injury
-log roll
-back board
-neck braces/collars
early intervention critical to prevent further damage

Front 10

Spinal Injuries
Acute Care

Back 10

-stabilize spine
-traction (halo) if confirmed inj
-shock=cerebral edema, vasoconstrict

Front 11

Spinal Injuries
Positioning & ROM

Back 11

-prevent bed sores, turn or use vest
-prevent loss of function (huge)
-as initial edema goes down, may get some function back

Front 12

Spinal Injuries
Elimination (huge)

Back 12

-biggest problem r/t bowel &bladder
-urinary retention
perm. cath for life or i&o q6-8h
-bowel training - they have lost ability to bare down (milk of mag, stool softener)

Front 13

Spinal Injuries
Diet

Back 13

-protien & calories to heal
-don't want to gain weight
-moderate fats
-fluids important p initial edema gone
-encourage 3000ml water/day

Front 14

Spinal Injuries
Muscle Spasm

Back 14

-lead to contractures
-if pt. tight, hard to do PT
-give muscle relaxer (baclofin/valium)

Front 15

Muscle Relaxer

Back 15

baclofin (lioresal)

valium (low dose 2mg)

Front 16

Spinal Shock

Back 16

-complete inactivity below level of inj. including partial transection
-can last weeks-months
-flaccidparalysis (rag muffin)
-loss of sensation
-no bowel/bladder function

Front 17

Poiklothermia

Back 17

-loss of heat regulating mechanism below level of inj.
-will not perspire on paralysis part
-clammy everywhere else
-paralysis stays temp of room

Front 18

Autonomic Hyperreflexia

Back 18

-Emergency Condition
-cervical or high thoracic spinal inj
-causing exxagerated, uncontrolled responses to Sympathetic nervous sys.

Front 19

Autonomic Hyperreflexia
Stimulus

Back 19

-bowel/bladder infection (can be life threatening)
-constipation req. disimpaction
-edema
-extremes of hot/cold (air conditioner)

Front 20

Autonomic Hyperreflexia
Symptoms

Back 20

-pounding HA
-BP extremely inc. (300/180)
- dec. pulse (30-40)

Front 21

Autonomic Hyperreflexia
Treatment

Back 21

-treat the cause
-give hyperstat to dec. BP
push fast

Front 22

Ruptured Intervertebral Disc

Back 22

cartilage between the vertebrae rupture, may compress spinal cord causing neuro symptoms

Front 23

Ruptured Intervertebral Disc
Manifestations

Back 23

-low back pain, extend down affected leg
-numbness/tingling
-precipitated by heavy lifting or hyperextension of neck

Front 24

Ruptured Intervertebral Disc
Treatment (conservative)

Back 24

-bed rest
-analgesics,
-muscle relax.,
-antiinflammatory, traction (pelvic),
-PT,
-ROM

Front 25

Ruptured Intervertebral Disc
Treatment (surgical)

Back 25

-Laminectomy
-spinal fusion

Front 26

Laminectomy

Back 26

remove bone and cartilage

Front 27

Spinal Fusion

Back 27

remove bone & cartilage & insert graft (from iliac crest or synthetic)