Joint Position Sense Evaluation in Spinal Cord Injury
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Abstract
The ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) is considered the gold standard for evaluating spinal cord injuries. This scoring system is based on remaining motor and sensory function. Fine touch is representative of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway, which also provides proprioceptive sensation, two-point discrimination and vibration sensation. This report suggests that the assessment of multiple sensory modalities could improve the reliability and validity of the AIS scoring system. We report on a traumatic spinal cord injury patient classified as AIS grade A but who had retained joint position sensation. Computed tomography revealed a fracture dislocation of the C6 and C7 vertebra with 100% canal compromise. He subsequently underwent posterior open reduction and instrumentation with posterior fusion at the C6 and C7 level. At the five year follow-up, he presented with significant neurological improvement
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