What is a common outcome of lower cervical and upper thoracic cord lesions?

Lower cervical and upper thoracic cord lesions typically result in flaccidity of the legs and portions of the arms due to the disruption of nerve pathways that are responsible for muscle tone and reflex responses. In these types of lesions, there is damage to the spinal cord that affects the signals being sent to and from the brain, which can lead to weakness or paralysis in the areas supplied by the affected nerves.

Specifically, the lower cervical region supplies the arms, particularly the muscles that allow for movement and grip, while the upper thoracic region primarily innervates the trunk and the muscles of the legs. When these regions are compromised, the patient may exhibit flaccid paralysis in the corresponding limbs, which is characterized by a lack of muscle tone and reflexes. This contrasts with other outcomes such as spasticity, which is more commonly associated with upper motor neuron lesions, or increased sensitivity to pain, which is not typical of lower spinal cord injuries. Enhanced muscle tone is also not a feature of flaccid paralysis and would likely indicate a different type of neurological involvement.