Spinal Shock
Original Editor - Cindy John-Chu
Top Contributors - Cindy John-Chu, Lucinda hampton, Chelsea Mclene, Kim Jackson, Vidya Acharya and Ahmed M Diab
Overview[edit | edit source]
Also known as spinal shock syndrome, spinal shock is the loss of muscle tone and spinal reflexes below the level of a severe spinal cord lesion[1]. This "shock" does not imply a state of circulatory collapse but of suppressed spinal reflexes below the level of cord injury[2]. It takes between days and months for spinal shock to completely resolve and when it does, the flaccidity that was once seen gradually becomes spasticity[3]. It usually is consequent to severe spinal cord injury (SCI) that is either traumatic or ischaemic, with traumatic spinal shock occurring more in young people and mostly among males than females[4]. Spinal shock is characterized by a temporary rise in blood pressure that is proceeded by hypotension, flaccid paralysis, urinary retention and fecal incontinence[4]. If reversal of symptoms does not occur within 24hrs, it may call for protracted recovery time and lengthened stay in rehabilitation[4].
Differential Diagnoses of Spinal Shock[edit | edit source]
These include:
- Vertebral fracture
- Spinal abscess
- Sepsis
- Cardiogenic shock[4]
Complications of Spinal Shock[edit | edit source]
- Neurological deterioration
- Pressure sores
- Fecal incontinence
- Urinary retention
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Aspiration pneumonitis[4]
Differences between Neurogenic Shock and Spinal Shock[edit | edit source]
Neurogenic shock[edit | edit source]
- Also known as vasogenic shock
- Defined as systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg with a heart rate less than 80 bpm[6]
- Consequent to SCI with associated autonomic dysregulation[6]
- Common with cord injuries above T6 level. In other words, it is associated with cervical and high thoracic spine injury.
- Occurs at anytime from the onset of injury
- Frequently follows a traumatic SCI[6], but may also occur in non-traumatic cord lesions[7]
- Characterized by:
- Systemic hypotension and bradycardia
- Respiratory insufficiency and pulmonary dysfunction
- Temperature dysregulation vis-à-vis hypothermia; flushed, warm skin
- Lasts between 1 to 6 weeks post the initial injury
- Managed by administering fluids and vasopressors with appropriate temperature monitoring[8]
Spinal shock[edit | edit source]
- Defined as a state of transient physiologic (rather than anatomic) reflex depression of cord function below the level of injury, with associated loss of sensorimotor functions[9]
- Is a reversible reduction or loss in sensory and motor function after an acute SCI
- Rarely occurs in spinal cord lesions of gradual onset
- Involves reflex depression of cord function below the level of injury[10]
- When reflexes return, they follow a pattern where superficial ones show up before deep tendon reflexes[9].
- Characterized by:
- Flaccid paralysis
- Anaesthesia
- Areflexia or hyporeflexia[8]
- Lasts between days to months
- Most often resolves on its own
Stages of Spinal Shock[edit | edit source]
The resolution of spinal shock does not occur abruptly but in phases. Ditunno et al (2004)[12] proposed a four-phase model of the syndrome.
Phase 1[edit | edit source]
- Lasts between 0 to 1 day
- Characterized by loss of descending facilitation
- Presents as areflexia or hyporeflexia
Phase 2[edit | edit source]
- Occurs between 1 to 3 days post injury
- Shows as denervation supersensitivity
- Leads to initial re-emergence of reflexes
Phase 3[edit | edit source]
- Lasts between 4 days to 1 month
- Axon-supported synapse growth occurs at this stage
- Initial hyper-reflexia is elicited here
Phase 4[edit | edit source]
- Lasts between 1 to 12 months
- Soma-supported synapse growth occurs
- Presents as spasticity
Autonomic Effects[edit | edit source]
- Neurogenic shock may occur in spinal cord injuries above T6, from the loss of autonomic innervation from the brain.
- In cervical and high thoracic SCI lesions, the synergy between sympathetic and parasympathetic system is lost but the parasympathetic system is preserved.
- There may be sacral parasympathetic loss encountered in lesions below T6 or T7.
- Cervical lesions cause total loss of sympathetic innervation. It leads to vasovagal hypotension and bradyarrhythmia's which resolve in 3–6 weeks.
- Autonomic dysreflexia is permanent, and occurs from Phase 4 onwards. It leading to extreme hypertension, loss of bladder or bowel control, sweating, headaches, and other sympathetic effects.[12]
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
While spinal shock may not be easily prevented, it can be managed and often requires a multidisciplinary team effort to do so. Its understanding and that of its mechanisms will enable the application of interventions that will facilitate recovery.
Additional Information[edit | edit source]
Physiotherapy Management of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Bed Mobility and Transfers in Spinal Cord Injury
Prognosis and Goal Setting in Spinal Cord Injury
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Smith PM, Jeffery ND. Spinal Shock-Comparative Aspects and Clinical Relevance. Journal of Verterinary Int Med 2008; 19(Iss 6)
- ↑ Singhal V, Aggarwal R. Spinal Shock. In: Prabhakar H. Complications in Neuroanesthesia. Academic Press: Science Direct, 2016. p89-94.
- ↑ Ko HY. Spinal Shock. In Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries. Singapore: Springer, 2019. pg123-134.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Ziu E, Mesfin FB. Spinal Shock. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. p1-11.
- ↑ Em Quattrocchi. What is SPINAL SHOCK? Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJWQOtLWnM [last accessed 24/3/2021]
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Dave S, Cho JJ. Neurogenic Shock. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020; p1-10.
- ↑ Flanagan EP, Pittock SJ, Diagnosis and Management of Spinal Cord Emergencies. In: Wijdicks EFM, Kramer AH editors. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier, 2017. p319-335.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Volski A, Ackerman DJ, Neurogenic Shock. In: Stawicki SP, Swaroop M editors. The Science and Art of Physiological Restoration. IntechOpen, 2019.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Singhal V, Aggarwal R, Spinal Shock. In: Prabhakar H editor. Complications in Neuroanaesthesia. Academic: Science Direct, 2016. p89-94.
- ↑ Graells XS, Benato ML, del Santoro PG, et al. Spinal Cord Injury. In: Nasr A, Saavedra TF, Collaço I, Abreu P, Namias N, Marttos. The Trauma Golden Hour. Cham: Springer, 2020. p65-72.
- ↑ ACLS Certification Association. Neurogenic shock vs. Spinal shock. Available from: https://youtu.be/nPu7RW2JBkw [last accessed 10/1/2021]
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ditunno JF, Little JW, Tessler A, Burns AS. Spinal shock revisited: a four-phase model. Spinal cord. 2004 Jul;42(7):383-95.