Spinal Cord Injury Levels and Functional Outcomes

Vocabulary flashcards covering spinal cord nerve levels, available muscles, functional abilities, pressure relief methods, gait patterns, and necessary equipment based on the lecture notes.

C1-C3 Spinal Cord Level

A level where sternocleidomastoid, levator, and upper trapezius allow for chin control; vital capacity is 20% to 30% of normal, and the patient is dependent on a ventilator, full-time attendant, and electric wheelchair.

Phrenic Nerve Stimulation

A respirator intervention applicable at the C1-C3 level that causes the diaphragm to contract.

C4 Spinal Cord Level

A level off the respirator where diaphragm, neck musculature, and upper trapezius allow for respiration and scapular elevation, with a vital capacity of 30% to 50% of normal.

C5 Spinal Cord Level

A level with available muscles including deltoid, biceps, rhomboids, supinator, and infraspinatus, allowing shoulder abduction to 90°, elbow flexion, elbow supination, scapular adduction, and shoulder external rotation.

C5 Pressure Relief

Independent pressure relief performed using a powered chair, forward raises, or by looping one upper extremity over the push handles of the back of the wheelchair.

C6 Spinal Cord Level

A level with available wrist extensors, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis, serratus anterior, pronator teres, and teres minor, enabling independent bed mobility, independent sliding board transfers, and car driving with hand controls.

Tenodesis Grasp

A functional mechanism of grasp present at C6 and C7 injury levels where wrist extension facilitates finger control.

C7-C8 Spinal Cord Level

Spinal cord injury level where independent living becomes possible, utilizing triceps for elbow extension, wrist flexors for wrist flexion, and achieving full grasp at C8.

C7-C8 Pressure Relief

Independent pressure relief achieved via a lateral push up.

T1-T8 Spinal Cord Level

A level with partial intercostals, partial erector spinae, and abductor digiti minimi (T1), achieving 80% to 90% normal vital capacity, full grasp, and therapeutic ambulation with a swing-to gait pattern in parallel bars.

Swing-To Gait Pattern

A gait pattern used during therapeutic ambulation in parallel bars with bilateral HKAFOs or KAFOs at the T1-T8 spinal cord injury level.

T9-T11 Spinal Cord Level

A level featuring full intercostals, majority of erector spinae, and abdominals, yielding 100% vital capacity at T10, independent floor-to-wheelchair transfers, and a swing-through gait pattern.

Swing-Through Gait Pattern

A gait pattern utilized for therapeutic ambulation by T9-T11 patients (with bilateral KAFOs and crutches/walker) and household ambulation by T12-L2 patients.

T12-L2 Spinal Cord Level

A level with available hip flexors (L2) and hip adductors, enabling household ambulation using bilateral KAFOs and crutches with a swing-through gait pattern.

L3-L5 Spinal Cord Level

A level with quadriceps (L3), lower erector spinae, tensor fasciae latae, tibialis anterior (L4), posterior tibialis, and extensor hallucis longus (L5), enabling community ambulation with standard or Lofstrand crutches using a 2-point gait pattern.

2-Point Gait Pattern

A gait pattern used for community ambulation at the L3-L5 spinal cord level (starting with a 4-point gait first if the patient is weak).