Scale from the American Spinal Injury Association.
This is a system of tests used to define and describe the extent and severity of a patient’s spinal cord injury and help determine future rehabilitation and recovery needs. It is ideally completed within 72 hours after the initial injury. The patient’s grade is based on how much sensation he or she can feel at multiple points on the body, as well as tests of motor function.
ASIA/ISCoS Exam Chart (ASIA Impairment Scale)
Grade A Complete lack of motor and sensory function below the level of injury (including the anal area)
Grade B Some sensation below the level of the injury (including anal sensation).
Incomplete: sensory but not motor function is preserved below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments S4-S5
Grade C Some muscle movement is spared below the level of injury, but 50 percent of the muscles below the level of injury cannot move against gravity.
Incomplete: motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and more than half of key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade less than 3 strength
Grade D Most (more than 50 percent) of the muscles that are spared below the level of injury are strong enough to move against gravity.
Incomplete: motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and at least half of key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of 3 or more strength
Grade E All neurologic function has returned.