>> JUDY FORTIN: You may hear your loved one’s level of injury mentioned frequently.
Level of injury refers to the location where the spinal cord is still functioning and is
also called neurological level of injury.
Doctors determine this by assessing the movement and sensation at or below a certain level
on the spinal cord.
The level of injury designation is a letter followed by a number that corresponds to the
spinal nerves.
Refer to this sub-chapter for information if your loved one has a thoracic level of
injury from T1 to T12.
T stands for thoracic and the numbers one through 12 correspond with the spinal nerves
in that section of the spinal cord.
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines for levels of injury, and your own, or your
loved one’s injury may differ due to its individual type and severity.
The level of independence achieved also has much to do with the patient’s health at
the time of injury.
This includes body type, existing medical conditions, and other
injuries that may have occurred at the time of the accident.
>> DR.
JEFFERY SALOMONE: The thoracic portion of the spinal column runs through the majority
of the trunk, between the cervical and lumbar regions.
T1 is at the top part of the thoracic spine, across the shoulder area.
T4 is located at the nipple line.
T10 is at the bellybutton, while the lowest section at T12 is at the bottom of the ribs.
The lower the level of injury number, the higher in the body the injury is located.
Of the thoracic levels of injury, a T1 injury impacts movement and sensation the most, while
an injury to T12 impacts them the least.
Injuries at or below the thoracic spinal levels result in paraplegia, or loss of the movement
and sensation in the legs, and can also impact control of the trunk.
Hands, arms, neck, and the ability to breathe are usually not affected.
T1 to T5 spinal nerves are connected to the muscles of the hand, upper chest and mid-back.
At this level of injury, arm and hand function is usually normal.
T6 to T12 spinal nerves control all of the chest, trunk and abdominal muscles.
The person injured at this level should be able to cough productively, usually has normal
upper body movement, and fair to good ability to control and balance the trunk.
Additional effects for people with T1 - T12 spinal nerve injury can include weakened breathing
and lower endurance, and little or no voluntary control of bowel and bladder function.
People with T-level injuries can usually learn to manage their personal bowel and bladder
programs.
>> JUDY FORTIN: Those with T-level injuries will most likely use a manual wheelchair.
They can in most cases learn to drive a modified car or van, as well as get in and out of it
without assistance.
Wide ranges of driving equipment and vehicle modifications are available today for those
who can find sources of support.
People with any T-level injuries most likely can get in and out of bed without assistance,
can perform care tasks such as grooming, bathing and dressing independently.
With practice, they can transfer themselves into and out of their wheelchair, shower or
tub.
Those with T1-T10 injuries may be able to stand in a standing frame device, while others
may be able to walk with leg braces for distances up to 150 feet.
Persons with T-11 and T-12 injuries may have greater range of mobility.
Persons with T1 to T6-level injuries may require assistance with maintaining their home.
People with T-7 to T12-level injuries will require assistance with heavy housework, perhaps
as much as three hours per day from a loved one or caregiver.
It’s a good idea to begin thinking about family members, friends, community or church
groups that can help with this type of support when the time comes to leave the trauma care
center, or perhaps after additional care at a rehabilitation facility.
Home modifications may be necessary for persons with T-level injuries.
Accessibility is key: widened doorways and ramps instead of stairs will help you or your
loved one considerably.
Strongly consider making countertops, sinks and stoves accessible, as well as making bathrooms
as easy to navigate as possible.
Ramps, wider doors, special sinks, grab bars and easy-to-turn doorknobs make it possible
for spinal cord injured persons to live more independently than ever before.
Friends, family, church and community groups may also pitch in to help with home modifications
and fundraisers.
Many people receive funding assistance or donations from special events, local businesses,
groups and even individuals.
Later in the rehabilitation process you’ll hear the term functional progression which
refers to expected recovery progress and chance of improved physical functioning as time goes
on.
It may partly depend on whether your loved one’s trauma care center stay is followed
up with visits to, or a stay at a rehabilitation facility.
No matter what, it’s very important to develop a consistent care routine to help your loved
one’s possible progress.
>> DR.
BRUCE DOBKIN: After spinal cord injury, your loved one will gradually improve.
One of the best ways to monitor this is that if there’s any feeling or any movement below
the level of injury, this is a very positive sign.
This is something that you can build upon.
Gradually over time, the therapists and rehabilitation folks will try to help drive greater recovery
from that little bit of recovery that you’re beginning to see.
This recovery can occur for weeks, for months, sometimes even years, so it’s really important
that you try to push any gains that you see.
But also, it’s very important to begin to accept any limitations in recovery that may
come about, so that your loved one can move on with life using assistive devices and any
other means needed so he or she can return to a normal life.
>> JUDY FORTIN: At this time, we’ll continue on to the last chapter of the video.
Chapter 6 provides practical advice for how to deal with the injury and its consequences
to your loved one and your family.
Lee Woodruff starts off the chapter.
She has some great advice because she and her family have been through, and survived,
a catastrophic injury themselves.
It’s an important part of the video.