Patterns of Spinal Cord Injury
Some patterns of spinal cord injury have special names.
- In the “Central Cord Syndrome”, arm function is affected more than the legs. This paradoxical condition is attributed to damage to the central part of the spinal cord. Recent studies of central cord syndrome suggest that the syndrome may be associated with destruction of the lateral spinal tracts.
- “Brown-Sequard Syndrome” refers to injuries limited to one side of the cord. People have weakness and loss of touch sense in one leg but loss of pain and temperature sensation in the other side.
- “Anterior Cord Syndrome” refers to the condition when sensation is preserved but motor function is absent below the injury site.
- “Posterior Cord Syndrome” refers to the condition when motor function is preserved in the absence of sensation.
- “Conus Medullaire” refers to injury of the conus or lower tip of the spinal cord. This damages the lower lumbar and sacral spinal cord segments.
- “Cauda Equina Injury” refers to the condition when the damage is limited to the spinal roots below L1.