What is the effect of an injury at the level between C8 and T1?

An injury at the level between C8 and T1 primarily affects the lower cervical spinal cord, which is responsible for innervating the muscles of the hands and fingers. This injury typically results in weakness of hand and finger movements due to damage to the lower motor neurons that control these specific muscle groups.

While a person may retain normal movement of their shoulders and elbows, as the muscles that govern these movements are controlled by the cervical spinal nerves above the C8-T1 level, the functioning of the fingers becomes compromised. This can lead to difficulties with fine motor skills, gripping, and hand coordination, which are essential for daily activities.

In brief, the characteristic manifestation of an injury at this spinal level is weakness in finger and hand movements, while maintaining some degree of function in the upper limbs above this injury site. This underlines the significance of understanding the anatomical and functional correlation of spinal cord injuries in the context of patient assessment and treatment in orthotics and prosthetics.