Updates for the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury

Steven Kirshblum; William Waring 3rd

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2014.04.001

Updates for the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2014 Aug;25(3):505-17, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2014.04.001.

Authors

Steven Kirshblum¹, William Waring 3rd²

Affiliations

¹ Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA; Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA. Electronic address: skirshblum@kessler-rehab.com.
² Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.

PMID: 25064785
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2014.04.001

Abstract

The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) is the most widely used classification in the field of spinal cord injury medicine. Since its first publication in 1982, multiple revisions refining the recommended examination, scaling, and classification have taken place to improve communication, consistency, and clarity. This article describes a brief historical perspective on the development and changes over the years leading to the current ISNCSCI, detailing the most recent updates of 2011 and the worksheet 2013 as well as issues facing the ISNCSCI for the future.

Keywords: Classification; International Standards; Neurologic level; Spinal cord injury.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Algorithms
Humans
Neurologic Examination
Reference Standards
Spinal Cord Injuries / classification*
Terminology as Topic