Which functional mobility is expected at sacral S1-S2?

Which functional mobility is expected at sacral S1-S2?

• A. Community ambulation
• B. Household ambulation
• C. Wheelchair mobility
• D. Bed mobility

Answer: (A)

S1–S2 preservation provides enough ankle plantar flexion and hip extension strength to support a functional walk in real-world settings. With this level of motor control, a person can manage ambulation outside the home, often with assistive devices like an ankle–foot orthosis, and handle everyday surfaces and obstacles. That readiness to move beyond the household makes community ambulation the most appropriate expectation for this level. Higher lesions would limit outside ambulation and often rely more on wheelchair mobility, while bed mobility reflects basic transfers that aren’t the defining feature of this functional level.

S1–S2 preservation provides enough ankle plantar flexion and hip extension strength to support a functional walk in real-world settings. With this level of motor control, a person can manage ambulation outside the home, often with assistive devices like an ankle–foot orthosis, and handle everyday surfaces and obstacles. That readiness to move beyond the household makes community ambulation the most appropriate expectation for this level. Higher lesions would limit outside ambulation and often rely more on wheelchair mobility, while bed mobility reflects basic transfers that aren’t the defining feature of this functional level.