A SCI is damage to the spinal cord leaving a person with a disability no matter how small or severe the disability is, the different level of the SCI and how bad the spinal cord is damaged influences how severe the disability will be. The level of injury is determined by which vertebra of the spinal cord is damaged The spine is divided into four sections of vertebrae. the Cervical section which is the top seven vertebrae C1-C7, the Thoracic section which is the next twelve vertebrae T1-T12, the Lumbar section is the next five L1-L5 and the Sacral which is one bone but still divided into S1-S5.
As seen on right.
Expected Outcomes In More Detail
By knowing the level of injury it is possible to predict expected functional outcomes. Outcomes, however, are also dependent on other factors such as the person’s age, general health, fitness and motivation
Level of injury |
EXPECTED FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF |
C1 |
Death (Usually) |
C2-3 |
Ventilator dependent. Moves head. |
C3-4 |
Dependent for movement. Will need full assistance with Activities of Daily Living (showering, dressing, feeding etc). Can drive electric wheelchair with head control. Can shrug shoulders. Will at least initially be ventilator dependent. |
C5 |
Can drive electric wheelchair with hand control. Able to feed self with splints. Hoist transfer. Needs help to dress, Can bend elbows. |
C6 |
Manual wheelchair if young and fit. Independent slideboard transfer. Can drive with modifications. Has wrist extension, clavicular, pecs and lats. |
C7 |
Manual wheelchair. Can feed self, transferLift transfer. Can drive, and live independently. Has triceps, wrist flexion and finger extension. |
T1-6 |
Manual wheelchair. Independent and can drive. Normal arm and hand function. Some upper trunk control at T6. |
T7-12 |
Independent, can drive. Has abdominals at T10. |
L1-5 |
Independent. May walk with leg braces/crutches. Motor movement hips & knees. |
S1-5 |
Independent walking, may need cane or crutches |