Electrophysiological characteristics of lumbosacral evoked potentials in patients with established spinal cord injury

Abstract

Surface electrodes positioned over the S1 and T12 vertebrae and referenced to T6 were used to record spinal potentials evoked by unilateral stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve at the knee. Data were collected on 24 patients who received spinal cord injuries 2 months to 31 years previously. The recording sites were below the level of spinal injury. The lumbosacral evoked potentials (LSEPs) were compared with the results of measurements obtained from 19 neurologically healthy subjects. Additional data were collected on each patient to characterize segmental reflex responses and preservation of sensory and motor functions associated with the L5 through S2 segments of the spinal cord. Assuming that the LSEP reflects the activity of spinal cord interneurons, the results demonstrate a degree of spinal cord dysfunction caudal to the area of injury in a substantial number of the patients with spinal cord injury which we studied.