ASIA Impairment Scale

A neurological examination used by rehab team to assess sensory/motor levels affected by spinal cord injury

• MMT

• ASIA Impairment

• Monofilament

• COPM

Normal sensory/motor function

• Grade A

• Grade E

• Grade B

The impairment is incomplete. Motor function is preserved below the neurologic level, but more than half of the key muscles below the neurologic level have a muscle grade less than 3 (i.e., they are not strong enough to move against gravity)

• Grade A

• Grade B

• Grade C

The impairment is incomplete. Sensory function, but not motor function, is preserved below the neurologic level (the first normal level above the level of injury) and some sensation is preserved in the sacral segments S4 and S5.

• Grade B

• Grade C

• Grade D

The impairment is incomplete. Motor function is preserved below the neurologic level, and at least half of the key muscles below the neurologic level have a muscle grade of 3 or more (i.e., the joints can be moved against gravity).

• Grade A

• Grade C

• Grade D

According to the ASIA classification of SCI, what are the key muscles for the C6 level? (Hint:Tenodesis)

• Elbow Flexors

• Wrist Extensors

• Finger Flexors

According to the ASIA classification of SCI, what are the key muscles for the C5 level?

• Wrist flexors

• Elbow Flexors

• Finger Flexors

According to the ASIA classification of SCI, what are the key muscles for the C7?

• Elbow Flexors

• Wrist Extensors

• Elbow Extensors

According to the ASIA classification of SCI, what are the key muscles for the C8 level?

• Finger Flexors

• Elbow Extensors

• Diaphragm

Most common form of an “incomplete spinal cord injury”—one in which the spinal cord's ability to transmit some messages to or from the brain is damaged or reduced below the site of injury to the spinal cord. Casuses weakness in the arms more so than the legs .

• Central Cord

• Brown-Sequard