Spine Fractures and Spinal Cord Injury
Spine Fractures and Spinal Cord Injury
Spine Fractures and Spinal Cord Injury
1. Instability
2. Neurological Deficit
Clinical Assessment
Inspection
Palpation
Neurological Evaluation
ASIA Impairment Scale
Sensory Evaluation
Motor Evaluation
Reflex Evaluation
Bulbocavernosus
Primary injury
• Damage to
neural tissue due
to direct trauma
• Irreversible
Spinal Cord Injury
Pathophysiology
Secondary injury
Injury to adjacent tissue
due to :
• Decreased perfusion
• Lipid peroxidation
• Free radical / cytokines
• Cell apoptosis
1990/2000’s: apoptosis
intracellular protein synthesis glutaminergic
mechanisms
Secondary Injury Cascade
Current Understanding
Spinal
Shock
Physiologic disruption of all spinal cord function
24-72 hour period of paralysis, hypotonia, & areflexia
Return of reflex activity below level of injury indicates
end of spinal shock
Bulbocavernosus Reflex
Injuries below L2 do not produce spinal shock
Bulbocavernosus Reflex
Spinal Cord Injury
Classification
Complete injury Incomplete injury
an injury with no spared an injury with some
motor or sensory function preserved motor or sensory
below the affected level. function below the injury
Patients must have recovered level
from spinal shock Include :
(bulbocaernosus reflex is Anterior cord syndrome
intact) before an injury can be Brown-Sequard syndrome
determined as complete Central cord syndrome
Classified as an ASIA A Posterior cord syndrome
Classification
Complete
• Absence of sensory & motor function in lowest
sacral segment after resolution of spinal shock
Incomplete
• Presence of sensory & motor function in lowest
sacral segment (indicates preserved function
below the defined neurological level)
Spinal Cord Injury
Classification
1. Determine if patient is in spinal shock
check bulbocavernosus reflex
2. Determine neurologic level of injury
lowest segment with intact sensation and
antigravity (3 or more) muscle function strength
in regions where there is no myotome to test, the
motor level is presumed to be the same as the
sensory level.
Classification
Incomplete SCI syndromes
Brown Sequard
• Ipsilateral motor,
proprioception loss.
• Penetrating trauma
• Contralateral pain,
temperature loss. Lateral haft of spinal cord
• Penetrating injuries. (hemissection)
dislocation
palpate posterior cervical spine looking for tenderness along
critically ill
Prognosis
Most important prognostic variable relating to
neurologic recovery is completeness of the
lesion (severity of neurologic deficit)
Only 1% have complete recovery at time of hospital
diagnosis
Conus medullaris syndrome has a better prognosis for
recovery than more proximal lesions
ASIA Impairment Scale
ASIA Motor Score & Level
6 point scale
0 = total paralysis
1 = palpable or visible contraction
2 = active movement, full ROM with gravity eliminated
3 = active movement, full ROM against gravity
4 = active movement, full ROM against moderate resistance
5 = (normal) active movement, full ROM against full resistance
Key muscles:
C5 - Elbow flexors (biceps, brachialis)
C6 - Wrist extensors (ECRL, ECRB)
C7 - Elbow extensors (triceps)
C8 - Finger flexors to the middle finger (FDP)
T1 - Small finger abductors (AbDM)
L2 - Hip flexors (iliopsoas)
L3 - Knee extensors (quadriceps)
L4 - Ankle dorsiflexors (tibialis anterior)
L5 - Long toe extensors (EHL)
S1 - Ankle plantarflexors (gastrocnemius, soleus)
Other muscles also evaluated but their grades are not used in determining motor score or motor
level [diaphragm (fluoro), deltoids, abdominals (Beevor's sign), medial hamstrings, hip adductors -
graded as absent, weak or normal; anal sphincter - Yes/No].
For myotomes not testable, the motor level is presumed to be the same as the sensory level.
Motor level (L or R), defined by the lowest key muscle that has a grade of at least 3, provided the key
ASIA Sensory Score & Level
Pin prick and light touch
0 = absent
1 = impaired (partial or altered, including hyperaesthesia
2 = normal
Radiological
Clinical Assessment
Associated Injuries
28% have other major organ system injuries
Noncontiguous spine fractures 3-17%
Always monitor hematocrit and urine output
Urinary – Foley recommended,
GI – prepare for ileus
Retroperitoneal bleeding from fracture
Gastroparesis from trauma
Meyer ‘85
Radiographic Evaluation
Initial Trauma Series: (Classic ATLS)
Lateral cervical, chest, AP pelvis
Secondary spine films determined by individual
condition and MOI
* *
Burst Fracture
* *
*
Flexion-distraction
Injury
(Chance)
Flexion-distraction (Chance)
injuries
Fracture Dislocation
*
* *
*
Aims of Treatment
Restore alignment and stability to spinal column
Improve neurological status
Facilitate mobility and rehabilitation
Bed rest
X Postural reduction (lumbar spine)
Ambulatory treatment
Spinal jacket (TLSO)
Free ambulation to pain tolerance
Thank You