SCI Functional Task Expectations
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If you were like me, and have a spinal cord injury, then may possibly wonderwhat are realistic expectations you may have for yourself. Of course, this is based on a complete injury and if you have an incomplete injury, your expectations may partially fall in the category below your level of injury. This is only a general rule, never give up and shoot for the stars!
--Mark
Functional Expectations & Equipment Needs for Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
After a comprehensive examination of the patient's sensory and motor functions, goals can be established. Although functional expectations can be generalized, abilities and outcomes will vary because each person is unique and is affected by many other factors such as age, weight, pre-morbid condition and co-morbidities.
The following charts shows the functional expectations and equipment needs at various levels of complete injury.
C-1 - C4 injury
(C1-C3 are ventilator dependent. C-4 can typically breathe independently but have no movement in arms, hands trunk or legs.)
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Skill
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Outcome
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Equipment
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Communication
-Mouthstick writing
-ECU
-Page Turning
-Computer use
-Call system
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-Minimal Assistance
-Set up
-Minimal Assistance
-Minimal Assistance
-Set up
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-  Mouthsticks & docking station
-ECU
-Book holder
-Computer
-Call system
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Feeding
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Dependent
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 Electric feeders may be used
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Dressing
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Dependent
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Bathing
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Dependent
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Reclining/tilt shower/commode chair
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Grooming
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Dependent
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Bladder Care
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Dependent
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-Catheters; condom (male)
-Drainage bag
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Bowel Care
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Dependent
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Bed Mobility
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Dependent
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Four-way adjustable hospital bed
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Weight Shifts
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Modified independent in power chair
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Power chair with power recline/tilt
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Skin Checks/Care
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Dependent
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Splints; wheelchair cushion, skin mirror; specialty bed mattress
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Transfers
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Dependent
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Hydraulic/power lift or other overhead lift system
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Power Chair Mobility
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Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
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-Power wheelchair with power recline/tilt; with head, chin or breath control
-Ventilator tray if needed
-Lap tray
-Postural support, head control devices if needed; arm-rests
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Manual Chair Mobility
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Dependent
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Manual reclining/tilt wheelchair
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Driving
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Not able
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Modified van; lift & tie downs
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Respiratory - for C 1-3 injuries
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Dependent
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-Portable ventilator
-Bedside ventilator
-Ventilator battery back up/generator
-Suction equipment
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Homemaking
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Dependent
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C-5 injury
Skill
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Outcome
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Equipment
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Communication
-Writing/typing
-Environmental control unit
-Page Turning
-Computer
-Telephone use
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-Set up to moderately independent
-Set up to moderately independent
-Set up to moderately independent
-Set up to moderately independent
-Modified independent
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-Long opponens splint
-Environmental control unit
-Book holder
-Computer
-Adapted telephone
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Feeding
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Minimal - set up assistance
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Mobile arm support or offset feeder; adapted utensils; long opponens splint
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Dressing
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Dependent
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Bathing
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Dependent
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Upright or tilt shower chair; hand held shower hose
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Grooming
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Minimum assistance
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Mobile arm support or offset feeder; long opponens splint
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Bladder Care
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Dependent
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Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
Automatic leg bag emptier
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Bowel Care
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Dependent
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Bed Mobility
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Dependent- maximum assistance
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Four-way adjustable hospital bed
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Weight Shifts
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Modified independent in power chair
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Power chair with power recline/tilt
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Skin Checks/Care
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Dependent
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Splints; wheelchair cushion, skin mirror; specialty mattress
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Transfers
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Dependent - maximum assistance
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Hydraulic lift or other lift system; possible transfer board
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Power Chair Mobility
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Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
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Power wheelchair with power recline/tilt; arm drive control;
Postural support
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Manual Chair Mobility
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Dependent
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Upright or manual reclining
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Driving
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Possible depending on person
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Modified van
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Homemaking
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Dependent
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C-6
Skill
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Outcome
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Equipment
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Communication
-Telephone use
-Page Turning
-Typing/writing/keyboard
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Modified independent
Modified independent
Modified independent
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Adapted telephone
Tenodesis splint
Short opponens splint
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Feeding
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Modified independent
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Adaptive ADL equipment
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Dressing
-Upper
-Lower
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Modified independent
Moderate to minimal assistance
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Various (depends on patient)
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Bathing
-Upper
-Lower
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Minimal assistance
Moderate assistance
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Upright shower chair
Various
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Grooming
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Modified independent
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Various
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Bladder Care
-Male
-Female
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Minimal Assistance
Max to moderate Assistance
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Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
Tenodesis splint
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Bowel Care
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Moderate Assistance
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Dil Stick
Padded commode chair
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Bed Mobility
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Minimal Assistance except for supine to prone- moderate assist
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Adjustable hospital bed with chain loops
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Weight Shifts
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Modified independent
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Upright wheelchair with push handles
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Skin Checks/Care
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Moderate to minimum assistance
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Wheelchair cushion, skin mirror
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Transfers
-Bed
-Tub/toilet
-Car
-Floor
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Minimal assistance
Moderate assistance
Moderate - maximum assistance
Dependent
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Transfer Board
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Power Chair Mobility
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Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
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Power upright chair
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Manual Chair Mobility
-Smooth surfaces & ramps
-Rough terrain
-Curbs & stairs
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Modified independent
Moderate- minimum assistance
Dependent
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Upright wheelchair; may use adaptations on for better efficiency- depends on patient
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Driving
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Modified Independent
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Modified vehicle
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Homemaking
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Minimal to moderate assistance
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Adapted devices as needed
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C7-8
Skill
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Outcome
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Equipment
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Communication
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Modified independent
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Feeding
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Modified independent
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Adaptive feeding equipment
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Dressing
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Modified independent
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Various (depends on patient)
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Bathing
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Modified independent
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Upright shower chair or tub bench; hand held shower hose
Various
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Grooming
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Modified independent
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Various
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Bladder Care
-Bed
-Wheelchair
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Modified independent
Modified independent for males; moderate assistance for females
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Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
Tenodesis splint
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Bowel Care
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Modified independent
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Dil Stick
Padded tub bench with commode cut out or
commode chair
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Bed Mobility
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Modified independent
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Weight Shifts
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Modified independent
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Upright wheelchair with push handles
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Skin Checks/Care
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Modified independent to minimum assistance
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Wheelchair cushion, skin mirror
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Transfers
-Bed
-Tub/toilet
-Car
-Floor
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Modified independent
Modified independent
Minimum assistance for loading wheelchair
Maximum assistance
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Transfer board; may not need on smooth surfaces; depends on body type of patient and strength of shoulders and elbows.
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Power Chair Mobility
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Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
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Power upright chair
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Manual Chair Mobility
-Smooth surfaces, ramps, rough terrain
-Curbs
-Stairs
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Modified independent
Moderate- minimum assistance
Maximum assistance
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Upright wheelchair
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Driving
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Modified independent
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Modified vehicle
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Homemaking
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Moderate assistance to modified independent
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Adapted devices as needed
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Paraplegia
Skill
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Outcome
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Equipment
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Communication
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Independent
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Feeding
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Independent
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Dressing
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Modified independent
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Various (depends on patient)
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Bathing
-Upper
-Lower
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Independent
Modified independent
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Upright shower chair
Long-handled sponge & hand- held shower hose
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Grooming
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Modified independent
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Bladder Care
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Modified independent
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Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
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Bowel Care
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Modified independent
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Padded tub bench with commode cut out or
commode chair
Dil Stick and/or suppositories- depends on bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR)
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Bed Mobility
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Modified independent to independent
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Weight Shifts
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Independent
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Upright wheelchair with push handles
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Skin Checks/Care
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Modified independent to minimum assistance
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Wheelchair cushion, skin mirror
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Transfers
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Modified independent to independent
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Manual Chair Mobility
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Modified independent except for stairs (3-4)- which may require
moderate assistance
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Upright wheelchair
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Driving
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Modified independent
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Modified vehicle
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Homemaking
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Moderate assistance to modified independence
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