Which spinal cord syndrome typically presents with greater weakness in the arms than the legs due to cervical injury?

• A. Anterior cord syndrome
• B. Brown-Sequard syndrome
• C. Central cord syndrome
• D. Spinal shock

Answer: (C)

Central cord syndrome happens when the cervical spinal cord is injured, and the damage primarily affects the center of the cord. The nerve fibers that control the arms are more impacted in this central region, so weakness is greater in the upper limbs than in the legs, especially after a hyperextension injury in people with cervical spondylosis. Sensory changes and bladder issues can accompany the weakness depending on the injury’s extent. Other syndromes have different patterns: anterior cord syndrome mainly involves motor and pain/temperature with preserved vibration/proprioception; Brown-Sequard causes ipsilateral weakness with loss of vibration and contralateral pain/temperature loss; spinal shock is a transient global loss of function immediately after injury that later improves.