0071598626.pdf

(a)Spinal shock is a clinical syndrome characterized by the bilateral
loss of neurologic function and autonomic tone below the level of a spinal
cord lesion. Patients typically exhibit flaccid paralysis with loss of sensory
input, deep tendon reflexes, and urinary bladder tone. Also, they are usu-
ally bradycardic, hypotensive, and hypothermic. Spinal shock generally
lasts less than 24 hours, but may last several days. (b)Central cord syn-
drome is often seen in patients with degenerative arthritis of the cervical
vertebrae, whose necks are subjected to forced hyperextension (eg, a for-
ward fall onto the face in an elderly person). Patients often have greater
sensorimotor neurologic deficits in the upper extremities compared to the

Trauma Answers 155

Impaired

proprioception,

vibration, two-point

discrimination,

and joint and

position sensation

Loss of all

sensation

Impaired pain

and temperature

sensation

(Reproduced, with permission, from McPhee SJ, Lingappa VR, Ganong WF. Nervous system disorders.
In:Lange Pathophysiology of Disease.5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2006: Figure 7-20.)