Spinal Cord injury

Spinal Shock

• General flaccidity below lesion
• Reflexes may be decreased but ususally recover in a number of days
• Delayed plantar response (present in all complete injuries
• Toe flexion but relaxation is delayed.

ASIA impairment scale

1. Complete – No sensory or motor below lesion
2. Sensory intact but no motor
3. Motor present but power <3
4. Motor present with power >3
5. Normal

Complications

• Cardiovascular
• If T-spine - Decreased sympathetic outflow, hypotension and bradycardia
• If L-spine – Peripheral vasodilation and shock

• DVT/PE
• Bladder – usually acontractile initially – retention
• GIT – paralytic ileus
• Pressure ulcers