What type of paralysis would occur with an injury at the level of the vertebrae(s) listed? L1
C4
T6
C6

High-Cervical Nerves (C1 – C4)

Most severe of the spinal cord injury levels

Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk and legs

Patient may not be able to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements.

Ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reduced.

When all four limbs are affected, this is called tetraplegia or quadriplegia.

Requires complete assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and getting in or out of bed

May be able to use powered wheelchairs with special controls to move around on their own

Will not be able to drive a car on their own

Requires 24-hour-a-day personal care

Low-Cervical Nerves (C5 – C8)

Corresponding nerves control arms and hands.

A person with this level of injury may be able to breathe on their own and speak normally.

C5 injury

Person can raise his or her arms and bend elbows.

Likely to have some or total paralysis of wrists, hands, trunk and legs

Can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakened

Will need assistance with most activities of daily living, but once in a power wheelchair, can move from one place to another independently

C6 injury

Nerves affect wrist extension.

Paralysis in hands, trunk and legs, typically

Should be able to bend wrists back

Can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakened

Can move in and out of wheelchair and bed with assistive equipment

May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle

Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment

C7 injury

Nerves control elbow extension and some finger extension.

Most can straighten their arm and have normal movement of their shoulders.

Can do most activities of daily living by themselves, but may need assistance with more difficult tasks

May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle

Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment

C8 injury

Nerves control some hand movement.

Should be able to grasp and release objects

Can do most activities of daily living by themselves, but may need assistance with more difficult tasks

May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle

Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment

High-Cervical Nerves (C1 – C4)

Most severe of the spinal cord injury levels

Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk and legs

Patient may not be able to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements.

Ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reduced.

When all four limbs are affected, this is called tetraplegia or quadriplegia.

Requires complete assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and getting in or out of bed

May be able to use powered wheelchairs with special controls to move around on their own

Will not be able to drive a car on their own

Requires 24-hour-a-day personal care

Low-Cervical Nerves (C5 – C8)

Corresponding nerves control arms and hands.

A person with this level of injury may be able to breathe on their own and speak normally.

C5 injury

Person can raise his or her arms and bend elbows.

Likely to have some or total paralysis of wrists, hands, trunk and legs

Can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakened

Will need assistance with most activities of daily living, but once in a power wheelchair, can move from one place to another independently

C6 injury

Nerves affect wrist extension.

Paralysis in hands, trunk and legs, typically

Should be able to bend wrists back

Can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakened

Can move in and out of wheelchair and bed with assistive equipment

May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle

Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment

C7 injury

Nerves control elbow extension and some finger extension.

Most can straighten their arm and have normal movement of their shoulders.

Can do most activities of daily living by themselves, but may need assistance with more difficult tasks

May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle

Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment

C8 injury

Nerves control some hand movement.

Should be able to grasp and release objects

Can do most activities of daily living by themselves, but may need assistance with more difficult tasks

May also be able to drive an adapted vehicle

Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder, but may be able to manage on their own with special equipment

Explanation:

what is the question