ABSTRACT
Objective To study upper limb motor strategies during elbow extension activities in C5-6 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and compare them with the strategies of normal individuals. Methods A Peak Motus motion analysis system was used to measure the angular displacement and the angular velocity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist of fifteen C5-6 SCI patients and fifteen healthy subjects during four elbow extension activities including grasping a cup, reaching for a light switch, wheelchair ambulation and upper limb weight-bearing. Results Compared with normal individuals, the movement time of the SCI patients was significantly longer during the grasping, reaching and wheelchair ambulation activities. The angular velocity was significantly slower during reaching for a light switch and wheelchair ambulation. The patients with spinal cord injury performed the motor tasks primarily relying on increasing or decreasing the angular displacement of the shoulder during the former three elbow extension activities. They compensated for any functional deficiency by changing the movement direction of the shoulder and elbow in sagittal projection during upper limb weight-bearing activities. Conclusion C5-6 SCI patients utilize different motor patterns and strategies from healthy subjects to complete elbow extension activities.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate motor patterns in the upper limbs of C_5 to C_6 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during elbow extension. Methods Fifteen C_5 and C_6 SCI patients and fifteen healthy subjects formed an SCI group and a control group respectively. A three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed on videos of the subjects performing four elbow extension activities: grasping a cup, reaching for a light switch, propelling a wheelchair, and upper limb weight bearing. A Peak Motus motion analysis system was employed. Results Compared with controls, the movement time of the SCI group was significantly longer during grasping, reaching for a light switch and wheelchair ambulation. Their angular velocity was significantly slower during reaching for a light switch and during wheelchair ambulation. The patients with spinal cord injury performed the motor tasks primarily by relying on increasing or decreasing the angular displacement of the shoulder. But they compensated for their functional deficiency by changing the movement direction of the shoulder and elbow in sagittal projection during upper limb weight bearing activities. Conclusion C_ 5-6 SCI patients use motor patterns and strategies different from those of control subjects in completing elbow extension activities.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the clinical features and treatment of cervical spondylosis with dissociated motor loss in upper extremity. Methods Data analysis was done in 10 patients with cervical spondylosis with dissociated motor loss in upper extremity, in aspects of symptoms, sign, radiologic feature, electromyogram and treatment. Results There are 2 subtypes of cervical spondylosis with dissociated motor loss in upper extremity: Keegan and Non-Keegan types. The patients with Keegan type of cervical spondylosis manifested weakness and atrophy in the upper extremity, and no radicular pain was reported. The Non-Keegan type is in fact a combination of radicular and spinal insult in the cervical region. Our clinical practice showed that surgical operation was preferred to the conservative treatment for patients with this disease. Conclusion A well understanding of this disease is of great importance for avoiding mistakes in diagnosis and treatment of this disease.