Understanding Paraplegia: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Paraplegia is loss of movement of the lower part of the body including legs, feel and sometimes the abdomen.
Paraplegia occurs due to injury to the brain or the spinal cord. The higher the injury is, the more extensive the damage will be. Common causes for quadriplegia are injuries to the spine, brain or spine tumors, stroke, cerebral palsy and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. The prognosis depends on the underlying cause and the extent of the injury, in some cases the paresis is reversible.

24 Alikes with Paraplegia

Learn from others
who are experiencing
Paraplegia.

Join Now

Signs & symptoms

Paraplegia symptoms depend on the severity and the degree of the injury. It may include muscle limpness, and lack of strength in the muscles. In other cases, it could be muscle stiffness and tightness. Loss of motor control, difficulty walking, loss of bladder control, chronic pain, depression, sexual dysfunction, secondary incfectios and reflexes depression.

Diagnosis

Paraplegia is diagnosed by reviewing symptoms and physical examination. Other tests may include a brain and spine MRI scan, electromyography, nerve conduction studies and lumbar puncture to look for CNS infection.

Treatment

Paraplegia treatment depends on the underlying cause. Treatments include surgery, muscle relaxants, pain medications,urinary catheterization, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy mobility aids and other devices.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.

Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital