Table 2: International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury ASIA (ISNCSCI)**.

A = Complete

There is no motor function or sensation preserved in sacral segments S4-5.

 

B = Sensory Incomplete

Sensory but not motor function is preserved below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments S4-5 (light touch or pin prick at S4-5 or deep anal pressure) AND no motor function is preserved more than three levels below the motor level on either side of the body.

 

C = Motor Incomplete

Motor function is preserved below the neurological level and more than half of the key muscles below the NLI have a muscle grade less than 3*.

 

D = Motor Incomplete

Motor function is preserved below the neurological level and at least half of the key muscle functions below the NLI have a muscle grade of at least 3 or higher*.

 

E = Normal

Once sensation and motor function are graded as normal in all segments in a person with prior deficits, they are given an AISA of E. A person without an initial SCI does not receive an AISA grade.

*It is important to recognize that for a patient with a grade of C or D, they must either have voluntary anal contraction or sacral sensory sparing with sparing of motor function more than three levels below the motor level for that side of the body;

**Certain clinical pearls when using ISNCSCI include the followings: