Paraplegia refers to the loss of movement and sensation in both legs and, sometimes, part of the lower abdomen. Quadriplegia
affects all four limbs
and, sometimes, parts of the chest, abdomen, and back. Both are forms of paralysis that often result from injury to the spinal cord.
What is the difference between paraplegia quadriplegia and hemiplegia?
There are many different causes of paralysis—and each one may result in a different kind of paralysis, such as quadriplegia (paralysis of arms and legs),
paraplegia
(being paralyzed from the waist down), monoplegia (paralysis in one limb), or hemiplegia (being paralyzed on one side of the body).
What is paraplegia and quadriplegia?
Paralysis is a problem moving the body due to disease or injury to the nervous system. There are two types: Paraplegia—full or partial paralysis of the lower half of the body. Quadriplegia, sometimes called tetraplegia—
paralysis of both legs and both arms
.
What is the difference between paraplegia and tetraplegia?
Paraplegia is a paralysis starting in the thoracic (T1-T12), lumbar (L1-L5) or sacral (S1-S5) area, while
tetraplegia is caused by damage in the cervical area (C1-C8)
. Persons with paraplegia possess good functioning of the arms and hands.
What happens differently to cause a quadriplegic versus a paraplegic?
Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that occurs when a patient only loses function or sensation in their lower extremities but does not lose function in their arms. Quadriplegia is a type of paralysis that occurs when a patient
loses function
and sensation in their arms and legs.
Can a paraplegic walk again?
Many factors play a role in regaining the ability to walk after a spinal cord injury. Fortunately, it is possible for many SCI survivors.
There is potential to walk again after SCI
because the spinal cord has the ability to reorganize itself and make adaptive changes called neuroplasticity.
Can quadriplegics poop?
With a spinal cord injury, damage can occur to the nerves that allow a person to control bowel movements. If the spinal cord injury is above the T-12 level, the ability to feel when the rectum is full may be lost. The anal sphincter muscle remains tight, however, and bowel movements will occur on a reflex basis.
Can paraplegia be cured?
Paraplegia is generally the result of an injury, but it can also be caused by conditions that damage your spinal cord or brain.
There is no cure for paraplegia
, but treatment can help you manage your condition.
Is paraplegia a disability?
What Symptoms Do I Need to Qualify? Individuals with paraplegia may face a
broad range of symptoms
, affecting one’s ability to work differently. The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists the criteria for disability benefits in the Social Security Blue Book.
Can a paralyzed person poop?
Upper motor neuron bowel occurs with injuries at T-12 or higher, and results from paralysis that damages the nerves that control the bowel. When the rectum is full, defecation occurs reflexively and can lead to bowel accidents. This condition is also known as reflex bowel.
How do paraplegics pee and poop?
Life without bladder control
People living with spinal cord injuries empty their bladders with the assistance of a narrow tube called a
catheter
. The device is slid into the bladder several times throughout the day to drain urine from the body.
Is quadriplegia a disability?
Due to the severity of quadriplegia,
many individuals are permanently disabled
. If you have been impacted by quadriplegia and are unable to work to your full capacity, there could be financial help available to you.
Can a quadriplegic man have a baby?
While money may be a factor in becoming a father if you’re paralyzed, having children is now a possibility for paralyzed men.
Only around 10% of men with spinal cord injuries are able to conceive naturally
(if they use erection medication).
What is the life expectancy for a quadriplegic?
Patients aged 20 years at the time they sustain these injuries have a life expectancy of
approximately 35.7 years
(patients with high tetraplegia [C1-C4]), 40 years (patients with low tetraplegia [C5-C8]), or 45.2 years (patients with paraplegia).
Can you be paralyzed but still feel?
Complete paralysis
is when you can’t move or control your paralyzed muscles at all. You also may not be able to feel anything in those muscles. Partial or incomplete paralysis is when you still have some feeling in, and possibly control over, your paralyzed muscles. This is sometimes called paresis.
What does tetraplegic mean?
Tetraplegia (sometimes referred to as quadriplegia) is a term used to describe
the inability to voluntarily move the upper and lower parts of the body
. The areas of impaired mobility usually include the fingers, hands, arms, chest, legs, feet and toes and may or may not include the head, neck, and shoulders.
