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Clinical features

Authoring team

The clinical features of spinal artery infarction depend upon the segmental level of damage. Typical features include:

  • sudden radicular pain and para- or quadra-paresis
  • 'spinal shock'-like phenomena:
    • limbs initially flaccid but within days, become spastic
    • reflexes initially absent but within days, become hyper-reflexic with extensor plantars
  • loss of pain and temperature sensation up to the level of cord damage - due to involvement of anterolateral spinothalamic tracts
  • urinary and faecal incompetence from lesions in the lower lumbar / sacral areas

N.B.: fine touch and joint position sense are usually unaffected since the dorsal columns are supplied by the posterior spinal artery.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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