The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) uses the following classifications to describe a person’s functional impairment following a spinal cord injury:
A=Complete
No motor or sensory function in the lowest sacral segment (S4-S5).
B=Incomplete
Sensory function below neurologic level and in S4-S5, no motor function below neurologic level.
C=Incomplete
Motor function is preserved below neurologic level and more than half of the key muscle groups below neurologic level have a muscle grade less than 3.
D=Incomplete
Motor function is preserved below neurologic level and at least half of the key muscle groups below neurologic level have a muscle grade of 3 or more.
E=Normal
Sensory and motor function is normal.
Loss of motor function means a person has no voluntary control of their muscles.
Loss of sensory function means a person cannot feel hot or cold, pain or pressure.