Respiratory Impairment in SCI
Disease/Disorder Definition Spinal cord injury (SCI) commonly results in some degree of respiratory dysfunction due to weakness or paralysis of the respiratory muscles, reduced vital capacity (VC), increased respiratory secretions, ineffective cough, reduction in lung and chest wall compliance, and increased oxygen […]
Sexuality and Reproduction after SCI
[…] can result in injury to the motor, sensory, and autonomic pathways underlying sexual and reproductive function. The effect of a spinal cord injury (SCI) on sexual function and health depends on the direct effects from an SCI itself, as well as indirect […]
SCI Traumatic Part One: Disease/Disorder and Essentials of Assessment
[…] (SCIM) ‑ designed as an alternative to the FIM to assess 16 categories of functional independence. The Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) ‑ measures the patient’s ability to walk and describes the amount of assistance needed for walking. The Spinal […]
Polytrauma, Debility and Burns
[…] state of low muscle mass.3 Burns: extensive burn injuries are often seen in the setting of trauma, brain injury, or spinal cord injury. Burn wounds are classified as superficial, partial-thickness, and full-thickness depending on the extent and depth of the injury. Superficial […]
SCI Traumatic Part Two: Treatment and Practice
[…] The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) have sponsored the development of clinical practice guidelines for the management of those with spinal cord injury (SCI). Entitled the Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine, they are based on literature reviews and expert panel consensus.1-12 The […]
Pulmonary Rehabilitation after Ventilatory Failure
[…] several additional studies are currently ongoing.15 Functional electrical stimulation to the abdominal muscles can improve respiratory function in patients with spinal cord injury in both the acute and chronic setting. A review article by McCaughey et al., found that there was a […]
Thoracic Radiculopathy/Myelopathy
[…] or abdominal wall usually along a single dermatome is suggestive of thoracic radiculopathy. Neuropathic pain may be exacerbated by trunk movements. Spinal cord injury is classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) which can be found on its […]
Traumatic Brachial Plexopathy
[…] and triceps reflexes are abnormal. Pending the mechanism of trauma, examination could find any combination of the above. Evaluate for spinal cord injury. Though rare, BPI can be followed by spinal cord compression in 2-5% of those with avulsion injury due to […]
Upper Gastro-intestinal Problems in Patients with Disorders of the CNS (Excluding Dysphagia)
[…] topic and will not be addressed here. Etiology Several disorders or injuries of the CNS, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), or severe stroke can be associated with development of erosive gastritis (stress ulcers) in the acute stage.2,3,6 Acute […]
Orthostatic Hypotension in SCI
[…] smaller drop in blood pressure may be equally important when associated with relevant symptoms that indicate impaired perfusion. OH following spinal cord injury (SCI) is common and well-documented, most often seen with complete lesions above neurological level T6 and most severe during […]