Spinal Cord Injury Levels And Function Chart Pdf
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious medical condition that can lead to permanent disability. It occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, which is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body. The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the level of the injury and the extent of the damage. This article will provide an overview of spinal cord injury levels and function chart pdf.
Spinal Cord Injury Levels
The spinal cord is divided into four regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The level of a spinal cord injury refers to the specific region of the spine that was damaged. The higher the level of injury, the more severe the resulting disability.
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Cervical spinal cord injuries occur in the neck region and can result in paralysis of the arms, legs, and trunk. Injuries at the top of the cervical spine (C1-C3) can lead to complete paralysis, while injuries at lower levels (C4-C8) may allow for some arm movement but limited hand function.
Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury
Thoracic spinal cord injuries occur in the chest region and can result in paralysis of the legs and trunk. These injuries can also affect the function of the internal organs, such as the bladder and bowel.
Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury
Lumbar spinal cord injuries occur in the lower back region and can result in paralysis of the legs. These injuries can also affect bowel and bladder function.
Sacral Spinal Cord Injury
Sacral spinal cord injuries occur in the pelvic region and can result in loss of bowel and bladder control, as well as sexual dysfunction.
Function Chart Pdf
A function chart pdf is a tool that can be used to assess the level of function after a spinal cord injury. It is divided into different categories, such as sensation, motor function, and bowel and bladder function. Each category is further divided into specific tests that are used to evaluate the level of function.
Sensation
The sensation category of the function chart pdf assesses the level of sensation in different parts of the body. Tests may include assessing the ability to feel light touch, pinprick, and temperature changes.
Motor Function
The motor function category of the function chart pdf assesses the level of movement in different parts of the body. Tests may include assessing the ability to move the arms and legs, and the strength of those movements.
Bowel and Bladder Function
The bowel and bladder function category of the function chart pdf assesses the level of control in those areas. Tests may include assessing the ability to urinate and defecate voluntarily.
Conclusion
Spinal cord injuries can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. Understanding the level of injury and the resulting disability can help healthcare professionals provide appropriate treatment and support. A function chart pdf can also be a useful tool for assessing the level of function after a spinal cord injury.