Motor recovery in the absence of segmental afferents: a case study of incomplete spinal cord injury.
A 41-year-old male with a prior left L-5/S-1 radiculopathy developed complete quadriplegia following a gunshot wound to the left anterior neck. He subsequently recovered pinprick sensation over the left side of the trunk and lower extremity; and a right peroneal SEP, suggested sparing of long tracts on the right side. Voluntary motor strength gradually recovered more on the left than right for the L-5/S-1 segments, where tendon reflexes were absent. This unique case is discussed with respect to the effect of absent segmental afferents on suprasegmental recovery.
Little
J W
JW
Spinal Cord Injury Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.
Harris
R M
RM
Smithson
D
D
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011999:Recruitment, Neurophysiological; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*