SF: Spinal Injury Levels and Effects on Bodily Functions

Question 1

What bodily functions are affected by a C1-4 level injury?

Answer 1

• no deep tendon reflexes
• loss of voluntary and involuntary respiratory function
• from the neck down
  
  • no motor function
  • no bowel or bladder control.

Question 2

What bodily functions are affected by a C5 level injury?

Answer 2

• Loss of all function below the upper shoulders,
• sternocomastoids intact, the trapezius and cervical paraspinal muscles can control the head.
• Loss of sensations to most of the arms, hands, chest, abdomen and lower extremities.
• Still intact head shoulders, portions of the forearms..

Question 3

What bodily functions are affected by a C6 level injury?

Answer 3

• loss of all muscle function below the shoulders,
• greater arm and thumb sensation.
• Phrenic nerve intact, but not intercostals,
• no bowel or bladder function.
• Loss of sensation below clavicles

Question 4

What bodily functions are affected by a C7 level injury?

Answer 4

• loss of motor control to portions of the arms and hands,
• intact head and shoulders most of the arms and hands (C7 supplies the middle finger).
• No bladder and bowel function

Question 5

What bodily functions are affected by a C8 level injury?

Answer 5

• has some voluntary control of elbow extensors, wrist finger extensions,
• loss of sensation below the chest and portions of the hands.
• Phrenic nerve is intact but not intercostals.
• No bladder or bowel control.
• In the rehabilitation stage has some of hands so can be taught how to self-catheterize

Question 6

What bodily functions are affected by a T1-6 level injury?

Answer 6

• Control of shoulders upper chest arms and hands is intact
• Phrenic nerve functions independently, however there is still some impairment of the intercostal muscles.
• No bladder or bowel function.
• Can be fully independent in the W/C , and
• able to manage urinary drainage

Question 7

What bodily functions are affected by a T6-12 level injury?

Answer 7

• no interference with respiratory function.
• Has complete abdominal and upper back control.

Question 8

What bodily functions are affected by a L1-3 level injury?

Answer 8

• loss of control of legs and pelvis,
• some hip rotation and leg flexion intact.
• No bladder or bowel control.

Question 9

What bodily functions are affected by a L3-L4 level injury?

Answer 9

• sensations to the upper leg intact.
• Has voluntary control of hip extensors, possibility of being able to walk with braces

Question 10

What bodily functions are affected by a L4-S5 level injury?

Answer 10

• bladder and bowel control impaired,
• S2-4 control urinary continence,
• S3 – S5 control bowel continence.