Spinal shock is the sudden, temporary loss or impairment of spinal cord function below the level of injury that occurs after an acute spinal cord injury, including the motor, sensory, reflex, and autonomic neural systems. The most common cause of severe spinal cord injury leading to spinal shock is a primary insult by high-impact, direct trauma or fall. However, secondary injury (eg, ischemia or infection) of the spinal cord can also result in injury. Although the condition may occur as a result of SCI, spinal shock is a physiologic process rather than an anatomic disorder. Spinal shock may last days to weeks, though there is debate on how the resolution of the condition is defined.The diagnosis of spinal shock is comprised of obtaining relevant history (eg, past medical history, mechanism of injury), if possible, performing a complete physical examination, including evaluation with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Scale, and initiating spinal imaging studies. As with any trauma patient, evaluation for spinal cord injuries should be performed after primary assessment with the ABCDE (ie, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) protocol while ensuring spine immobilization during evaluation and transportation to minimize secondary injury. Initial characteristic findings of spinal shock include paralysis and absent reflexes, impaired bowel and bladder control, and absent anal sphincter tone. Management of spinal shock primarily consists of maintaining hemodynamic and respiratory stability to prevent further neurogenic injury and supportive therapy. In some patients, surgical decompression may be considered. Typically, patients with spinal shock have restoration of spinal cord function after a period of recovery; persistent neurological impairment may indicate anatomic spinal cord injury. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner’s competence when managing spinal shock, equipping them with updated knowledge, skills, and strategies for timely identification, effective interventions, and improved interprofessional coordination of care, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced morbidity.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/36638
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: IPCE Credits: 1.0 hours
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.0 hours
Nursing: 1.0 hours
Pharmacy: 1.0 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABOS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABOS)
ABPATH - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABA - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABA)
ABTS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABTS)
ABIM - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP)
ABTS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABTS) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: Adult Cardiac, Cardiothoracic, Cardiovascular, Clinical Pathology, Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, General Operative Anesthesia, General Orthopaedics, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, General Thoracic, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Musculoskeletal Oncology, Neurocritical Care, Non-Thoracic Surgery, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Trauma, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Pulmonary Disease, Sports Medicine, Surgery of the Spine, Surgical Critical Care, Trauma, Vascular Surgery