Abstract
Patient evaluation using Zancolli's classification for cervical cord injuries uses easily understood criteria and accurately defines the state of disability in Frankel grade A or B patients. However, this classification cannot be used in Frankel grade C patients even though they also cannot walk. We compared the Zancolli classification with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor scores in evaluating self-care in Frankel grade C patients. The Zancolli classification was found to correlate closely with the ASIA motor score. The threshold of ability to perform self-care in areas such as urinary toileting and wheelchair mobility occurred approximately between C6A and C6B 1 in the Zancolli classification in Frankel grade A and B patients and at the level of about 30 points in the ASIA motor score in Frankel grade C patients. The ASIA motor score is helpful in defining functional motor status in Frankel grade C patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.
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Toh, E., Arima, T., Mochida, J. et al. Functional evaluation using motor scores after cervical spinal cord injuries. Spinal Cord 36, 491–496 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3100606
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3100606
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