How would you describe the level of spinal cord injury?
An SCI is described by its level, type, and severity. The level of injury for a person with SCI is the lowest point on the spinal cord below which sensory feeling and motor movement diminish or disappear. The level is denoted by the letter-and-number name of the vertebra at the injury site (such as C3, T2, or L4).
What is C4 C5 c6 in the spine?
The C4 and C5 vertebrae are the primary members of the mid-cervical spine. These two members are the most mobile in the mid-neck, and they support most of the forward and backward movements of this section of the neck. Therefore, they are prone to motion-related injury and disorders like disc herniation.
What scale is used to classify a spinal cord injury?
The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) is a five-grade scale used to identify the severity of a spinal cord injury: A = Complete: No sensory or motor function is preserved in the sacral segments S4–S5.
How many spinal levels are there?
There are 7 cervical (neck), 12 thoracic (chest), 5 lumbar (back), and 5 sacral (tail) vertebrae. The spinal cord sends roots that exit the spinal canal between vertebral bodies. Spinal cord segmental levels are defined by their roots but are not always situated at the corresponding vertebral levels.
What is the level of the injury?
The level of injury: Refers to the point where the spinal cord is injured. Marks a border between areas of the body that are affected and not affected by the spinal cord injury.
Where is T5 and T6 in the spine?
T5: Fifth thoracic vertebra. T6: Sixth thoracic vertebra. T7: Seventh thoracic vertebra.
What does C4 and C5 control?
The C4 dermatome covers parts of the neck, shoulders, and upper part of arms. 2. C5 helps control the deltoids (which form the rounded contours of the shoulders) and the biceps (which allow bending of the elbow and rotation of the forearm).
Where is C5 C6 and C7 on the spine?
lower cervical spine
The C5-C6 spinal motion segment (located in the lower cervical spine just above the C7 vertebra) provides flexibility and support to much of the neck and the head above.
What does C5 C6/C7 control?
Roots C5, C6, and C7 produce the long thoracic nerve, responsible for controlling the serratus anterior.
What is the ASIA scale used for?
What is the ASIA Impairment Scale? The American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale is a standardized neurological examination used by the rehabilitation team to assess the sensory and motor levels which were affected by the spinal cord injury.
How are levels of spinal cord injury determined?
Spinal Cord Injury Levels When determining your level of injury, a physician will test your sensory and motor functions with the International Standards Examination. Each spinal cord segment has a dermatome that receives sensory information from a specific area of the skin.
What is the classification of spinal cord injuries?
Classification of Spinal Cord Injury Severity. A central cord syndrome is associated with greater loss of upper limb function compared to the lower limbs. The Brown-Sequard syndrome results from a hemisection lesion of the spinal cord. Anterior cord syndrome occurs when the injury affects the anterior spinal tracts,…
What are the clinical outcomes of spinal cord injury (SCI)?
The clinical outcomes of SCI depend on the severity and location of the lesion and may include partial or complete loss of sensory and/or motor function below the level of injury. Lower thoracic lesions can cause paraplegia while lesions at cervical level are associated with quadriplegia (4).
What are the signs and symptoms of spinal cord injuries?
The higher the injury on the spinal cord, the more dysfunction can occur. 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.