• The patient will have limited head and neck movement, limited speaking abilities, and might not be able to breathe on their own causing the patient to be placed on a ventilator.

Cervical C4: Paralysis of arms, hands, trunk, and legs.

• The patient will have shoulder and neck movement, limited diaphragm control, and might have issues with breathing but can often breathe without a ventilator.

Cervical C5: Paralysis or wrists, hands, trunk, and legs.

• The patient will have shoulder movement, elbow flexion, can weakly raise arms and bend elbows. The patient can assist with personal care with adaptive equipment.

Cervical C6: Paralysis of hands, trunk, and legs with partial paralysis of wrists.

• Patients can move their shoulders, bend their elbows, and extend their wrists - allowing for some self-care with adaptive equipment

Cervical C7: Paralysis of fingers, trunk, and legs with partial loss of hand function.

• The patient will have elbow extension, some finger movement, and can perform most self-care activities.

• Complete- Total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury

• Incomplete- Partial loss of sensory and/or motor function below the level of injury

• Cervical: C1-C7

• Thoracic: T1-T12

• Lumbar: L1-L5

• Sacral: S1- S5

• Can cause swelling and temporary loss of function

• Typically has a better prognosis for recovery

Laceration: Tearing of nerve fibers in spinal cord

• Causes permanent damage to nerve fibers

Compression: Pressure on spinal cord caused by bone fragments, herniated discs or tumors

• Require surgery to relieve pressure

Complete Transection: Complete severing of spinal cord

• Results in total loss of function below injury (paralysis)

• The patient will have some upper body control with arm and hand function.

Thoracic T6-T12: Paralysis of trunk and legs with the possibility of poor control of abdominal muscles.

• The patient will have good upper body control and improved trunk control with the lower the injury.

• The patient generally has good trunk control and can walk with aids.

• The patient is likely to walk with some assistance or aids and can manage most ADLs. However, the patient might have loss of bowel and bladder control and sexual function.