FreeMD® Spinal Cord Injury Evaluation

Spinal Cord Injury

Evaluation

Spinal Cord Injury Evaluation

The evaluation of a spinal cord injury begins with a history and physical exam.

Physical findings in someone with a spinal cord injury may include:

Neck tenderness
Back tenderness
Weakness:

Arm weakness (unilateral)
Arm weakness (bilateral)
Leg weakness (unilateral)
Leg weakness (bilateral)
Arm and leg weakness (unilateral)

Numbness:

Arm numbness (unilateral)
Arm numbness (bilateral)
Leg numbness (unilateral)
Leg numbness (bilateral)
Arm and leg numbness (unilateral)
Arm and leg numbness (bilateral)

Inability to urinate
Loss of reflexes
Loss of sense of position
Rapid pulse
Low blood pressure

Tests are necessary to make the diagnosis of a spinal cord injury.

Tests that may be used to evaluate a spinal cord injury include:

CT scan of the spine
MRI scan of the spine
X-rays of the spine

Continue to Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

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Related Conditions

Neck fracture
Spinal canal stenosis
Spinal compression fracture
Spinal cord compression
Spinal cord shock

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Back injury
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Last Updated: Sep 4, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Spinal Cord Injury References:

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