What is the range of movement for a person with C5 spinal cord injury?

A person with a C5 spinal cord injury retains some upper limb movement but has limited function below that level. Specifically, individuals with this type of injury generally have the ability to move their shoulders and flex their elbows. This is due to the preservation of certain key muscle groups that are innervated at the C5 level, such as the biceps brachii and some shoulder muscles. They typically have functional control over shoulder movements, which allows them to perform tasks that involve bringing their hands closer to their bodies.

The ability to flex the elbows is significant, as it enables some degree of hand function, albeit with limitations. However, movement in the wrists is not typically present at this level of injury, indicating that while shoulder and elbow movements are functional, fine motor skills provided by wrist movement are not. This understanding aligns with the neurological level of injury and its implications for mobility and independence in daily activities.