ASIA Impairment Scale

Question 1

ASIA stands for:

Answer 1

American Spinal Injury Association

Question 2

ASIA grade A

Answer 2

aka complete

No sensory or motor function below level of lesion

Question 3

ASIA grade B

Answer 3

aka Sensory Incomplete

Sensory but not motor function below level of lesion

Question 4

ASIA grade C

Answer 4

aka Motor Incomplete

Motor function is preserved below level of lesion, and most key muscles below the lesion have a muscle grade < 3

Question 5

ASIA grade D

Answer 5

aka Motor Incomplete

Motor function is preserved below level of lesion, and most key muscles below the lesion have a muscle grade > or = 3

Question 6

ASIA grade E

Answer 6

aka Normal- sensory and motor functions normal

Question 7

Classification of Motor Level

Answer 7

Determined by the most caudal key muscles that have > or = 3 with the superior segment getting a 5

Question 8

Classification of Sensory Level

Answer 8

Determined by the most caudal dermatome with normal score (2/2) for pinprick and light touch

Question 9

C5 Key Muscles tested

Answer 9

Elbow flexors- biceps and brachialis

Question 10

C6 Key muscles tested

Answer 10

Wrist Extensors- ECRL and ECRB

Question 11

C7 Key muscles tested

Answer 11

Elbow Extensors -triceps

Question 12

C8 Key muscles tested

Answer 12

Finger Flexors to the middle finger- Flexor Digitorum Profundus

Question 13

T1 Key muscles tested

Answer 13

Small finger abductors (abductor digiti minimi)

Question 14

L2 Key muscles tested

Answer 14

Hip flexors- iliopsoas

Question 15

L3 Key muscles tested

Answer 15

Knee extensors- quads

Question 16

L4 Key muscles tested

Answer 16

Ankle dorsiflexors- tibialis anterior

Question 17

L5 Key muscles tested

Answer 17

Long toe extensors- extensor hallucis longus

Question 18

S1 Key muscles tested

Answer 18

Ankle Plantar Flexors- gastroc and soleus

Question 19

Scale for Sensory Testing

Answer 19

0= absent
1 = impaired/hyperesthesia 
2= intact