The spine is divided into sections, and the severity of dysfunction tends to increase with higher injuries on the spinal cord. The Levels Of Injuries In The Spine according To NYPMD New York Accident Doctors.
Injuries In The Spine
High-Cervical Nerves (C1 — C4)
Most severe the spinal cord injury levels
Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk, and legs
Shortness of breath, cough, or control of bowel or bladder movements.
Speech may be impaired or reduced.
When all four limbs are affected, this is called tetraplegia or quadriplegia.
Needs help with eating, dressing, bathing, and getting in or out of bed.
They might use specialized powered wheelchairs to move independently.
The patient will not have the ability to independently operate a car.
Necessitates include round-the-clock 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
A 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 a 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 a 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 equipment
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.
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 function in 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
Spinal cord injuries resources:
The following organizations and resources help individuals, families, friends, and caregivers of people living with a spinal cord injury:
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Phone: 973–379–2690 or 800–225–0292
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Phone: 305–243–6001 or 800–782–6387
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Phone: 202–401–4634 or 202–245–7316
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) Phone: 301–459–5900 or 800–346–2742
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Phone: 800–424–8200
United Spinal Association Phone: 718–803–3782 or 800–962–9629
CitimedNY: New York Spine Injury Doctors Phone: 866-CitiMed
NYPMD New York Accident Doctors Phone: 888–982–4846