When a spinal cord injury occurs above the first thoracic vertebra, paralysis usually affects the cervical spinal nerves. People with paralysis of all four limbs are referred to as Tetraplegic or Quadriplegic, usually caused by a spinal cord injury at a level from C1 to T1 (cervical to thoracic).
High Tetraplegia (C1-C4): Loss of all motor and sensory function from the neck down, including loss bowel and bladder control. For patients with C1-C3 injuries, probable loss of voluntary respiratory function. Individuals with C1-C4 level injuries will likely depend on others for assistance with almost all mobility and self-care functions. Because swallowing and phonation functions are preserved, assistive technologies (including voice activated, pneumatic or chin-controlled devices) may facilitate a victim’s control of portions of his/her environment. These devices include pneumatic wheelchairs and environmental control units (ECUs).
C5 Tetraplegia: Additional ability to flex elbow. With assistive technologies, such as wrist and hand orthotics to grip objects, these clients can achieve some independence in feeding and grooming themselves. Assistive technology may also enable them to adjust the height of their beds, answer phones, and use computers and television sets, but typically they will still require assistance for transfer mobility and many self-care tasks (e.g. dressing, bathing.)
C6 Tetraplegia: Individuals with C6 tetraplegia have the additional ability to extend their wrists, which facilitates grasp and release function with specialized technology. By using a wrist-hand tenodesis splint, it is possible to achieve gripping motion with the thumb. Loss of all motor function below the shoulders and upper arms, including loss of voluntary respiration, bowel and bladder control. Individuals may achieve independent feeding, dressing, grooming, phone use, page turning, and typing with assistive devices. Some transfer mobility may be achieved with the use of slide boards.
C7 Tetraplegia: Functional ability to extend elbow. C7 is generally the highest injury level compatible with independent living. Patients may achieve independence in feeding, upper extremity dressing, bathing, mobility, transfers, driving, writing, and manual wheelchair use. Patients, especially women, may still need help with intermittent catheterization.
C8 Tetraplegia: Additional ability to flex fingers, facilitating hand grasp and release. Individuals with C8-level injury may achieve independence with feeding, grooming, upper- and lower-extremity dressing, bathing, bed transfers, bladder and bowel care, using a computer, typing, writing, and independent driving with some assistive technologies.
At Walkup, our spinal cord injury team of attorneys have represented patients who have become quadriplegic as a result of automobile accidents, falls, medical errors, product defects (including defective seat belts and airbags), industrial accidents and toxic exposures. We know that loneliness and physical dependency produced by quadriplegia. Our attorneys understand that people injure by catastrophic injuries require both emotional and physical support. Our team of spinal cord specialists work with consultants in many fields to improve the quality of life of our clients, and to try and finance settlements that take into account the possibility that advancing and improving technology may produce breakthroughs that improve the quality of life for our paralyzed clients. If you have sustained paralyzing injury as the result of the fault of others, you need legal representation. Most importantly, you need representation by a law firm that has the experience and resources to protect your rights. That law firm is Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger. Call us today toll free at 888.732.8897.
