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| Glossary of SCI Terms A-L |
| This page contains only a partial list of terms related to SCI (Spinal Cord Injury). |
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ADL - Activities of daily living: eating, dressing, grooming, shaving, etc. Nurses, occupational and physical therapists are the main coaches for ADL, which is sometimes called DLS or daily living skills.
Ambulation - "Walking" with braces and/or crutches.
Anticholinergic - A drug often prescribed for those with indwelling catheters to reduce spasms of smooth muscle, including the bladder. Anticholinergics block certain receptors (acetylcholine), resulting in inhibition of certain nerve impulses (parasympathetic). Brand names include Daricon, ProBanthine, Urispas, Ditropan, and Cystospaz. Side effects may include constipation, nausea, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Caution: combined with alcohol, anticholinergics can cause extreme drowsiness.
Arachnoiditis - Inflammation and scarring of the membranes covering the spinal cord.
ASIA Score - A measure of function after spinal cord injury, used by physicians. "A" means complete injury; "E" means full recovery.
Autonomic Dysreflexia (Hyperreflexia) - A syndrome attributed to interruption oof spinal cord sympathetic pathways.
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Bowel program - The establishment of a "habit program" or a specific time to empty the bowel - also known as a "dil" - so that regularity can be achieved.
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Catheter - A flexible rubber or plastic tube for withdrawing or introducing fluids into a cavity of the body, usually the bladder.
CT Scan - Computerized axial Tomography is a cross-sectional X-ray enhancement technique that greatly benefits diagnosis with high-resolution video images.
Central Nervous System (CNS) - The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord.
Cervical - The upper spine (neck) area of the vertebral column. Cervical injuries often result in quadriplegia (tetraplegia).
Complete Lesion - An injury with no motor or sensory function below the area of the spinal cord that was damaged.
Condom Catheter - External urine collecting device used by males.
Cyst (post traumatic cystic myelopathy) - A collection of fluid within the spinall cord, which may increase pressure and lead to increased neurological deterioration, loss of sensation, pain, and dysreflexia.
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Decubitus Ulcer - See pressure sore.
Dermatome - A map that shows typical function for various levels of spinal cord injury.
DLS (Daily Living Skills) - See ADL.
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Edema - Swelling; most commonly present in legs and feet. Edema occurs when the body tissues contain an excessive amount of fluid (plasma), increasing skin sensitivity and risk of pressure sores.
Extension - Movement which brings the body or limbs into straight position.
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Flaccidity - A form of paralysis in which muscles are soft and limp.
Flexion - Movement which brings body or limbs into a bent position.
Foley Catheter - A rubber tube placed in the urethra, extending to the bladder, in order to empty the bladder. It is held in place with a small fluid-filled balloon.
Functional - The ability to carry out a purposeful activity.
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Halo Traction - The process of immobilizing the upper body and cervical spine with a traction device. The device consists of a metal ring around the head, held in place with pins into the skull. A supporting frame is at tached to the ring and to a body jacket or vest to provide immobilation.
Hemiparesis - Partial paralysis of loss of movement on one side of the body.
Heterotopic Ossification (HO) - The formation of new bone deposits in the connective tissue surrounding the major joints, primarily the hip and knee.
Hyperreflexia - See autonomic dysreflexia.
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Incomplete Injury - Some sensation or motor control preserved below spinal cord lesion.
Incomplete Lesion - A spinal cord lesion in which some sensation or muscle function below the level of injury is preserved.
Incontinence - Lack of bowel and/or bladder control.
Indwelling Catheter - A flexible tube retained in the bladder, used for continuous urinary draining to a leg bag or other device.
Informed Consent - A patient's right to know the risks and benefits of a medical procedure.
Intermittent Catheterization (ICP) - Using a catheter for emptying the bladder on a regular schedule. See self-catheterization.
Ischemia - A reduction of blood flow that is thought to be a major cause of secondary injury to the brain or spinal cord after trauma.
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Laminectomy - An operation used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, or used to examine the extent of damage to the cord.
Late Anterior Decompression - Surgical procedure to reduce pressure on the spinal cord by removing bone fragments.
Lesion - an injury or wound, any pathologic or traumatic injury to the spinal cord.
Log Roll - Method of turning a patient without twisting the spine, used when a person's spine is unstable.
Lower Motor Neurons - These nerve fibers originate in the spinal cord and travel out of the central nervous system to muscles in the body. An injury to these nerve cells can destroy reflexes and may also affect bowel, bladder and sexual function.
Lower Motor Neuron Lesion - Any damage to the lower motor neuron or its axon (peripheral nerve) that separates the lower motor neuron from control of its muscle fibers. This type of lesion leads to flaccidity and muscle atrophy.
Lumbar - Pertaining to that area immediately below the thoracic spine; the strongest part of the spine, the lower back.
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