Spinal Cord Injury 101: Anatomy and Mechanism of injury

The spinal cord conveys messages from the brain to the body that control muscle movement, as well as messages from the body to the brain that convey feeling such as hot/cold and sharp/dull. Brain cells (upper motor neurons) send out a long fiber known as an axon that connects to a neuron in the anterior horn of the spinal cord (lower motor neuron). The lower motor neuron then sends out an axon via the peripheral nervous system to a specific muscle. Axons from sensory organelles in the body also travel in the opposite direction towards the spinal cord to a relay station known as the dorsal root ganglion where the cell bodies of sensory neurons are located. These neurons send another process into the dorsal horn of the spinal cord where a second sensory neuron sends the message up into the brain.

The spina cord is encased in the spinal column, a series of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the pelvis. The spinal column protects the spinal cord, while also allowing motion of the trunk.

Spinal COrd Injury 201: Surgical options

Surgical options include tendon and nerve transfers as part of a wholistic approach to improving function and limiting complications. A team approach is best.

Spinal Cord Injury 301: Supinator Nerve Transfers

The nerve to the Supinator is often available in patients with tetraplegia and can be used to restore finger and thumb flexion or extension.