Go Kart For Tetraplegics

Complete Tetraplegia C-5

Tetraplegia is far more debilitating than paraplegia as the arms are paralysed too. The descriptions below detail what is likely to be expected functionally with a C-5 tetraplegia. It is only intended as a guide and should be read as such.

C-5 Tetraplegia: C-5 tetraplegics have functional deltoid and/or biceps musculature. They can internally rotate and abduct the shoulder, which causes forearm pronation (lowering) by gravity. Wrist flexion is similarly produced. They can externally rotate the shoulder and cause supination and wrist extension. They can bend the elbow, but elbow extension can only be produced by gravity, or by forceful horizontal abduction of the shoulder and inertia or shoulder external rotation.

C-5 patients require assistance to perform bathing and lower body dressing functions, for bowel and bladder care, and for transfers. With the use of balanced forearm orthoses, long opponens orthoses, or universal cuffs and adaptive equipment, C-5 patients can feed themselves, perform oral facial hygienic and upper body dressing activities, operate computers, tape recorders, telephone, etc. and participate in leisure activities. They can propel manual wheelchairs short distances on level surfaces, although the hand-hand rim interface should be modified with vertical or horizontal lugs (or plastic tubing can be wrapped around the rims), and gloves should be worn to protect the hands. Powered wheelchairs, propelled with a hand control, are needed for community distances and outdoor terrain.