Central Cord Syndrome

What type of walker will a patient with Central Cord Syndrome need if they are going to ambulate?

A walker with a platform attachment since hand function is usually poor for grasp.

What is the most common injury mechanism that causes Central Cord Syndrome?

Hyperextension injury of the cervical spine

With Central Cord Syndrome, where is motor loss most significant?

-Upper extremities with lower extremities significantly less affected

What type of incidents of injury can cause Central Cord Syndrome?

-Usually occurs from a fall -Can also occur from other types of trauma such as a motor vehicle accident

What percentage of Central Cord Syndrome patients will be able to regain some hand function?

42 percent

What percentage of Central Cord Syndrome patients will be able to regain bladder and bowel control?

53 percent

What percentage of Central Cord Syndrome patients will be able to ambulate?

77 percent

What should Physical Therapy treatment for Central Cord Syndrome include?

-Patient and caregiver education -Range of motion -Strengthening -Endurance activities -Balance retraining -Proximal stabilization exercises -Functional mobility

What Pharmacological interventions may a patient with Central Cord Syndrome be treated with?

-Blood pressure medication to combat autonomic dysreflexia -Antispasticity medication for treatment of spasticity -Anticonvulsants for treatment of neurogenic pain -Prophylactic (preventative) anticoagulants -Antidepressants

What are other potential contributing factors to Central Cord Syndrome?

-Cervical spondylosis -Narrowing or congenital defect of the spinal canal -Tumor -Rheumatoid arthritis -Syringomyelia (a chronic progressive disease in which longitudinal cavities are formed in the cervical section of the spinal cord)

What should a home care regimen include for Central Cord Syndrome?

-Continuation of exercise -Endurance -Functional mobility training

What contributes to a favorable long-term prognosis for Central Cord Syndrome patients?

-Early hand function -Improvement of strength in all extremities during the inpatient stay -Little to no lower extremity involvement

What percentage of Tetraplegia patients does Central Cord Syndrome account for?

About 30 percent

How often are Bladder and Bowel functions results with Central Cord Syndrome patients and how long does that usually take?

About 55 to 85 percent of the time after six months

What is Central Cord Syndrome?

An incomplete spinal cord lesion that most often results from a cervical hyperextension (ligamentum flavum) injury.

For Central Cord Syndrome, what have studies shown as far as lateral column damage after injury?

Axonal disruption of lateral columns at the level of injury with preservation to gray matter

Why are Sacral Segments usually unaffected with Central Cord Syndrome?

Because sacral segments are located laterally within the spinal cord.

What is the most common incomplete spinal cord lesion injury?

Central Cord Syndrome

What type of injury most often causes Central Cord Syndrome?

Cervical hyperextension injury

In the upper extremities, is the damage more severe distally or medially for Central Cord Syndrome patients?

Distally

What test can be used to assess for spinal cord impingement from bone or disk in a Central Cord Syndrome patient?

MRI

What medication should be administered within eight hours of a Central Cord Syndrome?

Methylprednisolone should be administered to assist with neurologic recovery

When should rehabilitation services be initiated for Central Cord Syndrome patients?

Once the patient is medically stable.

What age group does Central Cord Syndrome most commonly affect?

Persons over 50 years of age

Where is the damage located that causes the symptoms of Central Cord Syndrome?

The central aspect of the spinal cord.

What physiological event causes Central Cord Syndrome?

The spinal cord sustains bleeding into the central gray matter which causes damage to the centrally located cervical tract.

What is the usual quality of Sensory Loss below the level of the lesion in Central Cord Syndrome?

Usually limited, but symptoms can vary.