Which spinal cord injury level would be capable of rolling independently in bed due to preserved pectoralis major and teres major function?

• A. C5
• B. C6
• C. C7
• D. C8

Answer: (B)

Rolling from back to side relies on using the chest and shoulder muscles to push and rotate the trunk. Pectoralis major provides strong shoulder adduction and internal rotation, while teres major also helps with internal rotation and shoulder extension. When these muscles still have intact nerve input, they can press against the bed and pull the upper body over, enabling the roll without assistance. A mid-upper cervical level of injury tends to spare these functions enough to allow independent rolling, whereas injuries that are higher can diminish them and injuries that are lower may not provide the needed control. So, the level where rolling can be done independently due to preserved pectoralis major and teres major function is a mid-upper cervical level.