Question of the Day

Schiff-Sherrington posture occurs due to interruption of inhibitory neuron input from the lumbar spinal cord. The posture is characterized by rigid forelimb extension with normal function, with concurrent hindlimb paresis and paralysis.

Trauma to the spinal cord between T3-L3 results in inhibitory pathway interruption. Neurons caudal to the cervical intumescence are “released,” causing excessive extensor tone in the forelimbs. This posture is not associated with prognosis of the underlying disease. 

Think of Schiff-Sherrington posture when you see a combination of forelimb extensor rigidity and hind limb flaccid paralysis in an animal with spinal trauma, like being hit by a car or acute intervertebral disc disease.