Pronounced: KWOD-ra-plee-gia, PA-ra-plee-gia
Injury or disease to a the nervous system can affect the ability to move a particular part of the body. This reduced motor ability is called paralysis.
Quadriplegia and paraplegia are most often caused by spinal cord injuries. But, they can also be caused by nerve diseases, such as:
Most spinal cord injuries are caused by accidents (eg, car crashes, falls, sports injuries).
Whether it is paraplegia or quadriplegia, depends on:
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to these conditions. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
Paralysis due to spinal cord injuries may be total or partial. This depends on how much of the spinal cord is damaged. In addition to paralysis of the arms and/or legs, you may also suffer from:
Inactivity due to paraplegia and quadriplegia can cause additional problems, like:
People with paraplegia and quadriplegia may also become depressed because of:
Diagnosis involves finding out where and how badly the brain and spinal cord are damaged. To do this, doctors will likely do the following tests:
Immediate treatment of spinal cord injuries includes bracing the bony spine to keep it from moving and further injuring the spinal cord. Steroids and other medications may be used to lessen damage to nerves and adjacent tissue.
Recovery and rehabilitation usually begins in the acute care hospital setting. Depending on the cause and extent of the condition, this involves:
During this time, patients are fitted for mobility aids, often including wheelchairs. For most people, the majority of recovery happens within the first year.
The following measures are recommended by safety experts to reduce your chance of getting a spinal cord injury:
RESOURCES:
American Muscular Dystrophy Association
http://www.mdausa.org/
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center
http://www.paralysis.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
The Manitoba Paraplegia Foundation, Inc.
http://www.cpamanitoba.ca/
References:
Binard JE. Care and treatment of spinal cord injury patients. J Am Paraplegia Soc . 1992;15:235-249.
Dorizzi A. Guidelines for management of spinal cord injury: spinal surgery study group of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery. J Neurosurg Sci . 1997;41:133-138.
Spinal cord injury. Mayo Clinic Brain and Nervous System Center website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/ . Accessed August 8, 2005.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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