Appendix I: Self-care after rehabilitation by level of spinal cord injury
Last reviewed
Self care after a spinal cord injury
You may have questions about what you will be able to do for yourself in the future. The chart below is a guideline for what most people with a given level of injury will be able to do. Keep in mind that your situation may vary.
- Dependent means needing someone to help you.
- Independent means you can do it on your own.
| Spinal cord level | Feeding | Dressing | Bladder and bowels | Mobility |
| C1–3 | Dependent | Dependent | Dependent | Electronically controlled electric wheelchair. Can use sip and puff or head control. |
| C4 | Dependent | Dependent | Dependent | Same as above and can also use chin switch |
| C5 | Self feeding with setup and use of adaptive equipment | Help with upper body dressing; dependent with lower body dressing | Dependent | Power wheelchair, joystick hand control, high back, seat belt, cushion, removable desk arms |
| C6 | Independent with the use of adaptive equipment | Independent with upper body dressing; need help with lower body dressing | Dependent | Power wheelchair, joystick hand control, high back, seat belt, cushion, removable desk arms, modified van lift, hand controls |
| C7 | Independent with the use of adaptive equipment | Potential for independence with the use of adaptive equipment | Bladder: Independent to some assistance Bowel: Some to total assistance |
Manual wheelchair, removable desk arms, brake extensions, modified hand rims, modified van with transfer board, hand controls |
| C8 and below, including: thoracic, lumbar, and sacral | Independent | Independent | Bladder: Independent with intermittent cath. Bowel: Independent with digital stimulation | Manual wheelchairs, independent in car, unloading wheelchair, hand controls |
Equipment to increase independence after a spinal cord injury
- Bath bench
- Button hook
- Doorknob extension
- Dressing stick
- Elastic shoe laces/Velcro
- Environmental control units (computer that helps to turn on and off equipment, such as nurse call light, TV, radio, and fan)
- Leg lifter
- Long handle shoe horn
- Long handle sponge
- Raised toilet seat
- Reacher