Motor Levels

Question 1

T12:

Answer 1

• Some pelvic control in sitting or supine (abdominals or paraspinals).
• Hip hiking from quadratus lumborum may be present.

Question 2

L1:

Answer 2

• Weak iliopsoas (2/5)

Question 3

L2:

Answer 3

• Iliopsoas, sartorius, hip adductors grade 3/5 or better.

Question 4

L3:

Answer 4

• Meets or exceeds criteria for L2 plus quadriceps are 3/5 or better.

Question 5

L3-L4:

Answer 5

• Exceeds criteria for L3 but does not meet criteria for L4

Question 6

L4:

Answer 6

• Meets or exceeds criteria for L3 and medial hamstrings or tibialis anterior is grade 3/5 or better.
• A weak peroneus tertius may be seen.

Question 7

L4-L5:

Answer 7

• Exceeds criteria for L4 but does not meet L5 criteria.

Question 8

L5:

Answer 8

• Meets or exceeds criteria for L4 and has lateral hamstring strength of 3/5 or better, plus one of the following:
  
  • gluteus medius grade 2/5 or better
  • peroneus tertius grade 4/5 or better, or
  • tibialis posterior grade 3/5 or better.

Question 9

L5-S1:

Answer 9

• Exceeds criteria for L5 but does not meet S1 criteria

Question 10

S1

Answer 10

• Meets or exceeds criteria for L5 plus at least 2 of the following:
  
  • gastroc/soleus grade 2/5 or better,
  • gluteus medius grade 3/5 or better, or
  • gluteus maximus grade 2/5 or better (can pucker the buttocks).

Question 11

S1-S2:

Answer 11

• Exceeds criteria for S1 but does not meet S2 criteria.

Question 12

S2:

Answer 12

• Meets or exceeds the criteria for S1, the gastroc/soleus must be 3 or better and gluteus maximus and medius are 4 or better

Question 13

S2-S3:

Answer 13

• All the lower limb muscles are of normal strength
  
  • (may be grade 4 in two groups)
• Also includes normal appearing infants who are too young to be bowel/bladder trained

Question 14

“No loss”

Answer 14

• Meets all thr criteria for S2-S3 and has no bowel or bladder dysfunction