Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

What mobility assistance is typically required for individuals with SCI at C3-C4?

1. Wheelchair ambulation

2. Stair climbing

3. Walking aids

4. Full assistance for all movements

The correct answer is: Wheelchair ambulation

For individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at the C3-C4 level, full assistance for all movements is the most accurate description of their mobility assistance needs. At this level of injury, motor function is severely affected, typically resulting in a complete or near-complete loss of voluntary motor control below the neck. Such individuals generally retain some neck control and may have limited shoulder elevation but lack the ability to move their arms or legs effectively. Due to these severe limitations, these individuals can often perform only essential movements with significant assistance or adaptive technologies, such as a power wheelchair controlled by head or chin movements. The complexity of mobility at this level usually excludes any form of independent ambulation, stair climbing, or the use of walking aids, which are not feasible given the absence of functional limb control. Therefore, the correct understanding emphasizes the need for full assistance in all movements, indicating that individuals with such injuries will require caregivers or assistive devices to achieve mobility and perform daily activities.