What mechanism commonly causes central cord syndrome?

• A. Hyperflexion
• B. Hyperextension
• C. Rotation
• D. Penetrating trauma

Answer: (B)

Central cord syndrome is most commonly caused by hyperextension injuries of the cervical spine, especially in older adults with preexisting degenerative changes like spondylosis. This type of injury tends to compress and injure the central region of the spinal cord, where the fibers controlling the upper extremities are concentrated. The result is disproportionately greater weakness in the arms than in the legs, with variable sensory loss below the lesion. In contrast, a flexion injury more often injures the anterior structures and leads to a different pattern (anterior cord syndrome), and penetrating trauma or rotational injuries produce other distinct syndromes.