Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

At which spinal cord injury level is driving possible with hand controls?

1. C7

2. C6

3. L1-L5

4. S1-S4

The correct answer is: C7

Driving with hand controls is generally possible for individuals with a spinal cord injury at the C7 level. At this level, individuals typically retain good upper body strength and have functional use of their arms and hands, which are crucial for operating hand controls in a vehicle. The ability to control hand-operated devices is essential for safe driving, including steering, accelerating, and braking. In comparison, those with a spinal cord injury at the C6 level may have limited wrist and hand function, affecting their ability to manipulate hand controls effectively. While some individuals with a C6 injury can drive with adaptations, it is less common than at the C7 level. Individuals with injuries at the L1-L5 level generally have more limited core stability and lower limb function, which also impacts their ability to drive using standard vehicle adaptations. For those with injuries in the S1-S4 range, the situation is similar: they may have challenges related to lower limb control and stability, which can hamper driving abilities. Therefore, the C7 spinal cord injury level is recognized as a more favorable classification for driving with hand controls due to the retained functionality and strength in the upper extremities, which are essential for operating a vehicle safely.