Table 4.

Illustrative examples of motor level changes that could occur after cervical sensorimotor complete (AIS-A) SCI (based on ISNCSCI definition of motor level)

Change in Motor Level	Initial segmental motor scores and derived motor level (highlighted)
	C5	C6	C7	C8	T1
	5	3	2	1	0
	Examples of subsequent segmental motor scores that change motor level
	C5	C6	C7	C8	T1
−1	4	2	2	1	0
0	5	5	2	1	0
+1	5	5	3	3	0
+2	5	5	5	3	0

Motor level (above shaded squares) is defined as the most caudal spinal segment, as indexed by the key muscle group for that segment, having a muscle strength score of at least 3 (contraction against gravity alone) while all of the more rostral key muscles are normal (5/5). In these examples, initial sensory level is constant at C5 (table is modified from Steeves et al. 2011).