| Level of SCI |
Active Motion Available |
Possible Functions |
C3 |
Impaired breathing ability
Neck motion |
Unable to perform personal care (feeding, grooming, hygiene, dressing,
bathing, bowel and bladder care)
Directs others in bed mobility, transfers, personal care, and bowel and bladder
care.
Operates specially adapted power wheelchair with mouth control; wheelchair may
need portable ventilation system.
Uses mouth control to type, use tape recorder, computer, calculator, and
telephone.
|
C4 |
Neck motion
Can shrug shoulder |
Unable to perform personal care (feeding, grooming, hygiene, dressing,
bathing, bowel and bladder care)
Directs others in bed mobility, transfers, personal care, and bowel and bladder
care.
Operates specially adapted power wheelchair with mouth.
Uses mouth control to type, use tape recorder, computer, calculator, and
telephone)
|
C5 |
Some shoulder motions
Can bend elbow but not straighten |
Requires assistance to perform bathing and dressing.
Feeds self and performs some hygienic activities using adapted equipment.
Requires assistance for bowel and bladder care.
Requires assistance to transfer using a sliding board.
Operates typewriter, telephone, calculator, computer, and tape recorder using
adapted equipment.
Propels manual wheelchair short distances on level surfaces; requires power
wheelchair for community distances and outdoor terrain.
Possibly can drive using special equipment.
|
C6 |
Most shoulder motions
Can bend elbow but not straighten
Can move wrist to close fingers |
Can perform most personal care (feeding, grooming, limited dressing).
Requires assistance for bowel and bladder care and bathing.
Can perform some transfers independently using a sliding board.
Propels manual wheelchair; may require power wheelchair for community distances
and outdoor terrain.
Can cook and perform light housework.
With limited attendant care can live independently.
May drive with van and specialized equipment. |
| C7 |
All shoulder motion
Can bend elbow and straighten
Can move wrist to close fingers
May have some finger motion |
Able to perform feeding, grooming, hygiene, dressing, and bladder care.
Able to perform all of the activities that are listed for C6 level of function
but with greater ease.
Can perform most transfers independently.
Propels manual wheelchair.
Usually does not require power wheelchair.
Can cook and perform light housework.
Can live independently.
May drive with van and specialized equipment.
|
| C8 |
Has all movement in arms with some weakness in hands |
Independent in all personal care.
Can perform most transfers independently.
Propels manual wheelchair for home and community distances.
Drives with van, car, and specialized equipment.
Can live independently performing all activities except heavy housework.
|
| T1 |
Has all movements in arms and hands |
Independent in all personal care.
Can perform all transfers independently
Propels manual wheelchair for home and community distances.
Can live independently performing all activities.
Drives with van, car, and specialized equipment
|
| T2-5 |
Has all movements in arms and hands and partial trunk movement |
Can live independently performing all activities and personal care.
Drives with van, car, and specialized equipment.
May be able to stand with long leg braces and a walker.
May be able to walk short distances with assistance.
|
| T6-12 |
Has all movements in arms and hands
Partial trunk movement
Partial abdominal muscle strength |
Can live independently performing all activities and personal care.
Drives van, car, and specialized equipment.
May be able to walk independently for short distances with long leg braces
and a walker or crutches
|
| L1-3 |
Has all movements in arms, hands, and trunk
Has all movement in hips, may have partial knee movement |
Can live independently performing all activities and personal care.
Drives with van, car and specialized equipment.
May be able to walk independently with long leg braces and crutches for community
distances.
May use a wheelchair for long distances.
|
| L4-5 |
Has all movements in arms, hands, and trunk
Has all movements in hips and knees with some weakness May have some ankle
movement |
Can live independently performing all activities and personal care.
Drives with van, car and specialized equipment.
Able to walk independently with ankle braces and canes.
May use a wheelchair for long distances.
|
| S1-2 |
Has all movements except some weakness in ankle and foot |
Can live independently performing all activities and personal care.
Able to drive care without specialized equipment.
Able to walk independently on all surfaces, usually without bracing.
|
