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.)
Skill
Outcome
Equipment
Communication
-Mouthstick writing
-ECU
-Page Turning
-Computer use
-Call system

-Minimal Assistance
-Set up
-Minimal Assistance
-Minimal Assistance
-Set up
    

-Mouthsticks & docking station
-ECU
-Book holder
-Computer
-Call system
Feeding
Dependent
Electric feeders may be used
Dressing
Dependent
Bathing
Dependent
Reclining/tilt shower/commode chair
Grooming
Dependent
Bladder Care
Dependent
-Catheters; condom (male)
-Drainage bag
Bowel Care
Dependent
Bed Mobility
Dependent
Four-way adjustable hospital bed
Weight Shifts
Modified independent in power chair
Power chair with power recline/tilt
Skin Checks/Care
Dependent
Splints; wheelchair cushion, skin mirror; specialty bed mattress

Transfers
Dependent
Hydraulic/power lift or other overhead lift system
Power Chair Mobility
Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
-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
Manual Chair Mobility
Dependent
Manual reclining/tilt wheelchair
Driving
Not able
Modified van; lift & tie downs
Respiratory - for C 1-3 injuries
Dependent
-Portable ventilator
-Bedside ventilator
-Ventilator battery back up/generator
-Suction equipment
Homemaking
Dependent

C-5 injury
Skill
Outcome
Equipment
Communication
-Writing/typing
-Environmental control unit
-Page Turning
-Computer
-Telephone use
-Set up to moderately independent
-Set up to moderately independent
-Set up to moderately independent
-Set up to moderately independent
-Modified independent
-Long opponens splint
-Environmental control unit
-Book holder
-Computer
-Adapted telephone
Feeding
Minimal - set up assistance
Mobile arm support or offset feeder; adapted utensils; long opponens splint
Dressing
Dependent
Bathing
Dependent
Upright or tilt shower chair; hand held shower hose
Grooming
Minimum assistance
Mobile arm support or offset feeder; long opponens splint
Bladder Care
Dependent
Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
Automatic leg bag emptier
Bowel Care
Dependent
Bed Mobility
Dependent- maximum assistance
Four-way adjustable hospital bed
Weight Shifts
Modified independent in power chair
Power chair with power recline/tilt
Skin Checks/Care
Dependent
Splints; wheelchair cushion, skin mirror; specialty mattress
Transfers
Dependent - maximum assistance
Hydraulic lift or other lift system; possible transfer board
Power Chair Mobility
Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
Power wheelchair with power recline/tilt; arm drive control;
Postural support
Manual Chair Mobility
Dependent
Upright or manual reclining
Driving
Possible depending on person
Modified van
Homemaking
Dependent


C-6
Skill
Outcome
Equipment
Communication
-Telephone use
-Page Turning
-Typing/writing/keyboard
Modified independent
Modified independent
Modified independent
Adapted telephone
Tenodesis splint
Short opponens splint
Feeding
Modified independent
Adaptive ADL equipment
Dressing
-Upper
-Lower
Modified independent
Moderate to minimal assistance
Various (depends on patient)
Bathing
-Upper
-Lower
Minimal assistance
Moderate assistance
Upright shower chair
Various
Grooming
Modified independent
Various
Bladder Care
-Male
-Female
Minimal Assistance
Max to moderate Assistance
Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
Tenodesis splint
Bowel Care
Moderate Assistance
Dil Stick
Padded commode chair
Bed Mobility
Minimal Assistance except for supine to prone- moderate assist
Adjustable hospital bed with chain loops
Weight Shifts
Modified independent
Upright wheelchair with push handles
Skin Checks/Care
Moderate to minimum assistance
Wheelchair cushion, skin mirror
Transfers
-Bed
-Tub/toilet
-Car
-Floor
Minimal assistance
Moderate assistance
Moderate - maximum assistance
Dependent
Transfer Board
Power Chair Mobility
Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
Power upright chair
Manual Chair Mobility
-Smooth surfaces & ramps
-Rough terrain
-Curbs & stairs
Modified independent
Moderate- minimum assistance
Dependent
Upright wheelchair; may use adaptations on for better efficiency- depends on patient
Driving
Modified Independent
Modified vehicle
Homemaking
Minimal to moderate assistance
Adapted devices as needed


C7-8
Skill
Outcome
Equipment
Communication
Modified independent
Feeding
Modified independent
Adaptive feeding equipment
Dressing
Modified independent
Various (depends on patient)
Bathing
Modified independent
Upright shower chair or tub bench; hand held shower hose
Various
Grooming
Modified independent
Various
Bladder Care
-Bed
-Wheelchair
Modified independent
Modified independent for males; moderate assistance for females
Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
Tenodesis splint
Bowel Care
Modified independent
Dil Stick
Padded tub bench with commode cut out or
commode chair
Bed Mobility
Modified independent
Weight Shifts
Modified independent
Upright wheelchair with push handles
Skin Checks/Care
Modified independent to minimum assistance
Wheelchair cushion, skin mirror
Transfers
-Bed
-Tub/toilet
-Car
-Floor
Modified independent
Modified independent
Minimum assistance for loading wheelchair
Maximum assistance
Transfer board; may not need on smooth surfaces; depends on body type of patient and strength of shoulders and elbows.
Power Chair Mobility
Modified independent except on curbs- (dependent)
Power upright chair
Manual Chair Mobility
-Smooth surfaces, ramps, rough terrain
-Curbs
-Stairs
Modified independent
Moderate- minimum assistance
Maximum assistance
Upright wheelchair
Driving
Modified independent
Modified vehicle
Homemaking
Moderate assistance to modified independent
Adapted devices as needed

Paraplegia
Skill
Outcome
Equipment
Communication
Independent
Feeding
Independent
Dressing
Modified independent
Various (depends on patient)
Bathing
-Upper
-Lower
Independent
Modified independent
Upright shower chair
Long-handled sponge & hand- held shower hose
Grooming
Modified independent
Bladder Care
Modified independent
Catheters; condom (male)
Drainage bag
Bowel Care
Modified independent
Padded tub bench with commode cut out or
commode chair
Dil Stick and/or suppositories- depends on bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR)
Bed Mobility
Modified independent to independent
Weight Shifts
Independent
Upright wheelchair with push handles
Skin Checks/Care
Modified independent to minimum assistance
Wheelchair cushion, skin mirror
Transfers
Modified independent to independent
Manual Chair Mobility
Modified independent except for stairs (3-4)- which may require
moderate assistance
Upright wheelchair
Driving
Modified independent
Modified vehicle
Homemaking
Moderate assistance to modified independence