Spinal Cord Injury
A Guide for Patients
Appendix I
Self Care After Rehabilitation by Level of Injury
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You may have questions about what you will eventually be able to do for yourself. This information is provided as a guideline for what most patients with a given level of injury will be able to do. Keep in mind that your individual situation may very. Dependent means needing someone to assist you. Independent means not needing someone to assist you. |
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SPINAL |
FEEDING |
DRESSING |
BLADDER and BOWELS |
MOBILITY |
C1-3 |
Dependent |
Dependent |
Dependent |
Electronically controlled electric wheelchair. Can use sip and puff or head control. |
| C4 | Dependent | Dependent | Dependent | Same as above and can also use chin switch. |
| C5 | Self feeding with set up and use of adaptive equipment. | Assistance with upper body dressing. Dependent with lower body dressing. | Dependent | Power wheelchair, joystick hand control, high back, seat belt, cushion, removable desk arms. |
| C6 | Independent with the use of adaptive equipment. | Independent with upper body dressing. Needs help with lower body dressing. | Dependent | Power wheelchair, joystick hand control, high back, seat belt, cushion, removable desk arms, modified van lift, hand controls. |
| C7 | Independent with the use of adaptive equipment. | Potential for independence with the use of adaptive equipment. |
Bladder: Independent to some assistance. |
Manual wheelchair, removable desk arms, brake extensions, modified hand rims, modified van with transfer board, hand controls. |
| C8 and below, including: Thoracic, Lumbar, and Sacral | Independent | Independent | Bladder: Independent with intermittent cath. Bowel: Independent with digital stimulation. | Manual wheelchair, independent in car, unloading wheelchair, hand controls. |
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