Pain in SCI

1. What are common causes of UE pain in SCI?
2. What is syringomyelia? When does it usually occur post-injury? How does it present?
3. What is the diagnosis and treatment of syringomyelia?
4. What is a Charcot joint?

Answers:
1. CTS, rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, subacromial bursitis, cervical radiculopathy, lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, myofascial pain.
2. Syringomyelia is posttraumatic cystic myelopathy, including cavity formation in the spinal cord progressing in a cephalad direction. It usually occurs 2-34 months post injury, presenting as pain and numbness.
3. It is diagnosed by MRI and treated by surgical drainage with shunt to the subarachnoid space or peritoneum.
4. Charcot joint refers to the destruction of an insensate joint due to minor trauma that goes unrecognized.