Several months ago, a 20 year-old male suffered a spinal cord injury brought about by a snowboard trick gone wrong. The lasting
effects of his injury include flaccid bowel and bladder and the inability to obtain an erection. While sensation has been completely preserved in his legs and feet, his motor function is significantly impaired. What type of incomplete spinal cord injury has the man most likely experienced?
Explanation: Functional deficits resulting from conus medullaris syndrome usually result in flaccid bowel and bladder and altered sexual function. Sacral segments occasionally show preserved reflexes if only the conus is affected. Motor function in the legs and feet may be impaired without significant sensory impairment. Anterior cord syndrome and Brown-Sequard syndrome include a loss of pain and temperature sensation while central cord syndrome manifests in spastic paralysis and is more common among older adults.
