Vertebrae are grouped into sections. The higher the
injury on the spinal cord, the more dysfunction can occur.
High-Cervical
Nerves (C1 – C4)
- Most severe of the spinal cord injury levels
- Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk and legs
- Patient may not be able to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements.
- Ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reduced.
- When all four limbs are affected, this is called tetraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Requires complete assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and getting in or out of bed
- May be able to use powered wheelchairs with special controls to move around on their own
- Will not be able to drive a car on their own
- Requires 24-hour-a-day personal care
Low-Cervical Nerves (C5 – C8)
- Corresponding nerves control arms and hands.
- A person with this level of injury may be able to breathe on their own and speak normally.
C5 Injury
- Person can raise his or her arms and bend elbows.
- Likely to have some or total paralysis of wrists, hands, trunk and legs
- Can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakened
- Will need assistance with most activities of daily living, but once in a power wheelchair, can move from one place to another independently
C6 injury
- Nerves affect wrist extension.
- Paralysis in hands, trunk and legs, typically
- Should be able to bend wrists back
- Can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakened
- Can move in and out of wheelchair and bed with assistive equipment
- May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle
- Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment
C7 injury
- Nerves control elbow extension and some finger extension.
- Most can straighten their arm and have normal movement of their shoulders.
- Can do most activities of daily living by themselves, but may need assistance with more difficult tasks
- May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle
- Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment
C8 injury
- Nerves control some hand movement.
- Should be able to grasp and release objects
- Can do most activities of daily living by themselves, but may need assistance with more difficult tasks
- May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle
- Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipmen
- Thoracic vertebrae are located in the mid-back.
Thoracic Nerves (T1 – T5)
- Corresponding nerves affect muscles, upper chest, mid-back and
- abdominal muscles.
- Arm and hand function is usually normal.
- Injuries usually affect the trunk and legs(also known as paraplegia).
- Most likely use a manual wheelchair
- Can learn to drive a modified car
- Can stand in a standing frame, while others may walk with braces
Thoracic Nerves (T6 – T12)
- Nerves affect muscles of the trunk (abdominal and back muscles) depending on the level of injury.
- Usually results in paraplegia
- Normal upper-body movement
- Fair to good ability to control and balance trunk while in the seated position
- Should be able to cough productively (if abdominal muscles are intact)
- Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder but can manage on their own with special equipment
- Most likely use a manual wheelchair
- Can learn to drive a modified car
- Some can stand in a standing frame, while others may walk with braces.
Lumber
Lumbar Nerves (L1 – L5)
- Injuries generally result in some loss of function in the
hips and legs.
- Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but can manage on their own with special equipment
- Depending on strength in the legs, may need a wheelchair and may also walk with braces
Sacral Nerves (S1 – S5)
- Injuries generally result in some loss of functionin the hips and legs.
- Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but can manage on their own with special equipment
- Most likely will be able to walk