A DISCUSSION ON THE ANATOMY OF CHRISTOPHER REEVE’S INJURY

AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF INJURIES TO THE CERVICAL VERTEBRAE

In May of 1995, during the cross-country portion of such an event

in Culpeper, Virginia, Reeve’s Thoroughbred, Eastern Express, balked at a rail jump, pitching his rider forward. Reeve’s hands were tangled in the horse’s bridle and he landed head first, fracturing the uppermost vertebrae in his spine. Reeve was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe. Prompt medical attention saved his life and delicate surgery stabilized the shattered C1-C2 vertebrae and literally reattached Reeve’s head to his spine. This assignment will examine the complications involved with Spinal Cord Injury, specifically in the case of Christopher Reeve.

What is the Spinal Cord? Why is it Important?

The spinal cord runs from the base of the brain to the end of the back. The spinal cord carries nervous system information for body movements and sensations of touch. Because the spinal cord is such an important part of the nervous system, it is surrounded and protected by bones called vertebrae.

The spinal cord acts as a highway of information for the brain to command the body’s motions. Damage to the spinal cord can occur from a traumatic injury. The backbone may pinch the spinal cord, causing it to bruise or swell, or the injury may tear the spinal cord and its nerve fibers, which results usually in paralysis and the loss of function from the area of injury down.

This diagram demonstrates how the SC is encased be the vertebrae in its foramen, therefore how easily it could be damaged if the vertebrae is broken, fractured, or shattered in the case of Christopher Reeve.

The following table lists the possible conditions and effects that result from

SCI in certain areas:

Level Areas Effects

C1 Blood supply to the head, pituitary gland, scalp, inner and middle ear, parasympathetic nervous system Headaches, nervousness, insomnia, head colds, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, nervous breakdowns, amnesia chronic tiredness, dizziness

C2 Eyes, optic nerves, auditory nerves, sinuses, mastoid bones, tongue, forehead Sinus trouble, allergies, crossed eyes, deafness, eye troubles, earache, fainting spells, certain cases of blindness.

C3 Cheeks, outer ear, face bones, teeth, trigeminal nucleus Neuralgia, neuritis, acne or pimples, eczema

C4 Nose, lips, mouth, Eustachian tube, tonsils Hay fever, catarrh, hearing loss, adenoids, tonsillitis

C5 Vocal cords, neck glands, pharynx, shoulders, thyroid gland. Laryngitis, hoarseness, sore throat or quinsy, pain in the upper arm/shoulder, thyroid problems

C6 Neck, muscles, elbows. Stiff neck, whooping cough

C7 Arms from the elbows down, including hands, wrists, fingers Pain in lower arms or hands

T1 Oesophagus, trachea Asthma, cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.

T2 Heart, including its valves and covering, coronary arteries, bronchials Functional Heart Conditions and chest conditions, asthma, high/low blood pressure

T3 Lungs, bronchial tubes, pleura, chest, breast Bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, congestion, influenza, asthma

T4 Gall Bladder, common bile duct Gall Bladder conditions, jaundice, shingles

T5 Liver, solar plexus, blood Liver conditions, fevers, anaemia, poor circulation.

T6 Stomach Stomach troubles including nervous stomach, indigestion, heartburn, dyspepsia

T7 Pancreas, duodenum Ulcers, gastritis, blood sugar level

T8 Spleen Lowered resistance

T9 Adrenal and supra-renal glands Allergies, hives, energy level

T10 Kidneys Kidney troubles, hardening of the arteries, chronic tiredness, nephritis, pyelitis

T11 Kidneys, ureters Skin conditions such as acne, pimples, eczema or boils

T12 Small intestines, lymph circulation Rheumatism, gas pains, sterility

L1 Large intestines, inguinal rings Constipation, colitis, dysentery, diarrhoea, some types ruptures of hernias

L2 Appendix, abdomen, upper leg Cramps, appendicitis, thigh pain

L3 Sex organs, uterus, bladder, knees Bladder troubles, menstrual troubles such as painful or irregular periods, miscarriages, bed wetting, impotency, change of life system

L4 Prostate gland, muscles of the lower back, sciatic nerve Sciatica, lumbago, difficult, painful or too frequent urination, back aches

L5 Lower legs, ankles, feet, sciatic nerve Poor circulation in the legs, swollen ankles, weak ankles, sciatica, varicose veins

SACRUM Hip Bones, Buttocks, groin Sacro-iliac conditions, groin pain

COCCYX Rectum, anus Haemorrhoids, pruritus, pain at the end of the spine on sitting

This table shows what conditions could result from damage to the Spinal Cord. Christopher Reeve, when he fell from his horse, shattered C1 and C2, therefore, is at risk of contracting all of these complications, except of course those apparent only in females, eg miscarriages. Christopher is at constant risk of pneumonia, infections, blood clots, wounds that do not heal, as autonomic disreflexia, as well as complete motor loss below the shoulders, which could sometimes result in violent incontrollable spasms. Because Christopher Reeve’s injury was so high, he also is unable to speak independently, breathe independently, and until recently, had no feeling in his members whatsoever. He has since regained feeling down the spine, in his left leg, and areas of the left arm.

This Diagram again demonstrates purely the level of motion loss associated with the injury of the spinal cord in separate regions.

This Diagram is a simple demonstration of what functions would be damaged by a Spinal Cord Injury in certain areas.

Bibliography

Henry Grey, Anatomy of the human body, 20th ed re-edited by Warren H. Lewis.

http://www.spinalinjury.net/

Christopher Reeve Homepage,

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/greatsleep/1023/

http://www.spinal-cord-injury-resources.com/

Van De Graff, Human Anatomy