A patient who has experienced an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) is most likely to experience which effects?

Question

1. Only a mild motor deficiency
2. Restoration of sensory function first
3. Some neurotransmission of impulses
4. A good prognosis for recovery

Answer 1

3
Rationale 1: The extent of motor deficiency depends on which portions of the cord are undamaged.
Rationale 2: The degree and progression of sensory function return will depend on which sections of the cord are undamaged.
Rationale 3: Patients who have experienced an incomplete spinal cord injury will have some preservation of sensory and/or motor function below the level of injury. In these patients, there is sparing of some of the spinal cord tracts, which allows neurotransmission to occur.
Rationale 4: The extent of recovery depends on which sections of the cord are left undamaged.