I'm interested in spinal cord injuries and i was wondering, if there was a complete injury to the l1/l2 area (or even lower) what level of function would the person have in their lower body? I know the legs could not be used but what about the lower abdomen?
Thanks
0
Info Please
Started by
*rosie*
, Oct 11 2005 07:36 AM
10 replies to this topic
Top#3
Apparelyzed
-
- Admin
-
- 3,571 posts
The Boss!
- Gender:Male
- Country:UK
- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C5/6 Anterior Cord
- Injury Date:02-01-1991
Posted 11 October 2005 - 08:51 AM
Hi Rosie,
Someone with an L1-L2 complete spinal cord injury should have full abdominal muscle function. The leg and foot muscles are innervated from the following spinal levels. The leg muscles represent the lumbar segments, i.e. L2 are the hip flexors (psoas), L3 the knee extensors (quadriceps), L4 the ankle dorsiflexors (anterior tibialis), L5 the long toe extensors (hallucis longus), S1 the ankle plantar flexors (gastrocnemius).
Someone with a complete L1-L2 injury would be independant, and not require carers. Their rehabilitation would take around 3 months, and would consist of bowel and bladder care, and techniques in transfering from the floor to wheelchair etc.
Some more information of functionality can be found here:
http://www.apparelyz...ity/t10-l1.html
Hope this helps
Simon.
Someone with an L1-L2 complete spinal cord injury should have full abdominal muscle function. The leg and foot muscles are innervated from the following spinal levels. The leg muscles represent the lumbar segments, i.e. L2 are the hip flexors (psoas), L3 the knee extensors (quadriceps), L4 the ankle dorsiflexors (anterior tibialis), L5 the long toe extensors (hallucis longus), S1 the ankle plantar flexors (gastrocnemius).
Someone with a complete L1-L2 injury would be independant, and not require carers. Their rehabilitation would take around 3 months, and would consist of bowel and bladder care, and techniques in transfering from the floor to wheelchair etc.
Some more information of functionality can be found here:
http://www.apparelyz...ity/t10-l1.html
Hope this helps
Simon.
Follow the Apparelyzed Forum on our Facebook and Twitter feeds.
#4
Joed
-
- Members
-
- 1,283 posts
Member
- Country:US of eh/Indiana
- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:Incomplete para
Posted 11 October 2005 - 05:50 PM
Hi rosie... 
My injury is very low, but incomplete (complete in my right leg, but incomplete in my left...if that makes any sense). The functional abilities that Simon has described sounds right on the mark. I did lose a lot of torso strength at first, but that has been (and still is) slowly returning.
My bladder/bowel function will probably never return to normal, but for me, it was just a matter of re-learning my body and its signals. I did not lose those functions, but they've just taken on another personality.
My injury is very low, but incomplete (complete in my right leg, but incomplete in my left...if that makes any sense). The functional abilities that Simon has described sounds right on the mark. I did lose a lot of torso strength at first, but that has been (and still is) slowly returning.
My bladder/bowel function will probably never return to normal, but for me, it was just a matter of re-learning my body and its signals. I did not lose those functions, but they've just taken on another personality.
* * * * * * * * *
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
#5
hillarymcarter
-
- Members
-
- 522 posts
Member
- Gender:Female
- Country:Louisiana, USA
- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:Spouse-L1 para
Posted 11 October 2005 - 10:25 PM
My husband has an L1 injury. He has use of his lower abdominal muscles. The top of his legs have "patchy feeling". He does not have control of his bowel or bladder. His rehab is still in process (1 year later) but he had many, many internal injuries. I can totally see him being independent very soon though (because hunting season is coming!!!).
#6
wheelie182
-
- Members
-
- 492 posts
Member
- Gender:Male
- Country:UK
- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:T6/T7 Complete
Posted 12 October 2005 - 10:25 AM
Quote
My husband has an L1 injury. He has use of his lower abdominal muscles. The top of his legs have "patchy feeling". He does not have control of his bowel or bladder. His rehab is still in process (1 year later) but he had many, many internal injuries. I can totally see him being independent very soon though (because hunting season is coming!!!).
I thought you guys were animal lovers
That's what she said!
#7
hillarymcarter
-
- Members
-
- 522 posts
Member
- Gender:Female
- Country:Louisiana, USA
- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:Spouse-L1 para
Posted 12 October 2005 - 04:17 PM
I am a HUGE animal lover.
Bruce's motto is "If it is brown it hits the ground, if it flies it dies, and if it hops it drops!"
I guess opposites really do attract!
Bruce's motto is "If it is brown it hits the ground, if it flies it dies, and if it hops it drops!"
I guess opposites really do attract!
#8
hillarymcarter
-
- Members
-
- 522 posts
Member
- Gender:Female
- Country:Louisiana, USA
- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:Spouse-L1 para
Posted 12 October 2005 - 04:36 PM
By the way, Wheelie....this avatar is for you!
I know the other moving one got one your nerves.
Don't worry, I will change this one tomorrow, I just thought it was funny!
I changed my photo too. I took a pic with my English Mastiff Harley!
I know the other moving one got one your nerves.
Don't worry, I will change this one tomorrow, I just thought it was funny!
I changed my photo too. I took a pic with my English Mastiff Harley!
#11
carolline
-
- Members
-
- 241 posts
Member
- Gender:Female
- Country:Toronto,ON Canada
- Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:none
Posted 13 October 2005 - 08:12 PM
shhhhhhhh...Bob,behave..do'nt show it to wheelie that avatar.
He may not get asleep!!!
By the way Rosie,
Sometimes the rehabilitation it depends on the person's level of injury.
But with a person with L1-L2 injury..it's just take short time for a rehab.
Being independent is depends on the person's ability.And their desire to become independent.They need to be optimistic..for fast rehabilaitation.
Did I make sense here?
Naughty Carer (SKMC)
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
