Classifications Used in Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

Creating a common language allows information to be shared well/wholesome/healthily. Classifications have a important role in the formation of this language, which provides many benefits such as follow-up of the clinical course. Classifications in spinal cord injuries are based on examination, so the results of different treatments can be revealed more clearly with a standardized examination and registration. The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) which is the most sensitive and common classification was developed by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) and the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), although its foundations were laid in 1969 by Frankel. Apart from neurological evaluation, there are scales such as Functional Independence Scale, Modified Barthel Index, Spinal Cord Independence Scale, Quadriplegia Functional Index, Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulation Inventory to determine the functional status in spinal cord injuries. Additionally scales such as Assessment of Spinal Cord Injury Basic Pain Data Set, Multidimensional Pain Inventory, DN4 (DouleurNeuropathique DN4) can be used for pain assessment in a patient with spinal cord injury.