Paraplegia is otherwise paralysis of the lower limbs. The primary cause of paraplegia is spinal injuries. Paraplegia may also be a consequence of a spinal cord cancer or stroke. A complete cure of paraplegia is rarely possible, but patients are offered various treatment methods - rehabilitation plays a major role in this case.

Paraplegiais one of the partial paralyzes - this is the term used to describe the condition in which the patient experiences paralysis of both lower limbs. Paralysis can take various forms - it happens that a patient becomes completely paralyzed, but it is also possible that the paralysis affects only certain specific parts of the patient's body.

Paraplegia: causes

A variety of damage to the structures of the nervous system, especially spinal cord damage, can lead to double limb paralysis. The main cause of paraplegia are spinal injuries resulting from various accidents - this problem may arise due to participation in a car accident, but also due to damage to the canal and spinal cord structures resulting from jumping into too shallow water reservoirs.

Injuries, however, are not the only possible cause of paraplegia - paraplegia may also occur as a result of a stroke or neoplastic changes disturbing the transmission of nerve impulses within the spinal cord.

Sometimes paraplegia is also found in people with multiple sclerosis, but it appears rather in patients who develop very advanced demyelinating changes.

Paraplegia is usually acquired, but there are situations where it is congenital - this is the case with cerebral palsy, one of the symptoms of which may be paralysis of the lower limbs.

Another problem where paraplegia is congenital is hereditary spastic paraplegia, which is caused by genetic mutations and whose symptoms appear at different ages, but eventually they tend to worsen over time from the first symptoms .

Paraplegia: symptoms

The intensity and nature of the ailments related to paralysis of the lower limbs depend primarily onexactly where the spinal cord will be damaged. Generally, the cause of paraplegia lies in the spinal cord injury in the thoracic or lumbar spine - the higher the trauma is, the more severe ailments the patient may experience.

Symptoms of paraplegia in different patients affected by this problem may therefore be different - in general, the symptoms associated with this type of paraplegia include:

  • sensory disturbances in the lower parts of the body (which may include a complete loss of sensation, but also the occurrence of non-specific sensations, such as a tingling sensation),
  • loss of the ability to move the lower limbs (some patients may also lose the ability to control the abdominal muscles),
  • sphincter dysfunction (resulting in impaired urination or stool control),
  • sexual dysfunction (in the form of impotence or ejaculation disorders).

Paraplegia: consequences

The very basic symptoms of paraplegia clearly make it difficult for patients to function normally. It should be added that, unfortunately, these are not the only problems related to this unit. Due to the limited mobility, patients with paralysis of the lower limbs have an increased risk of pressure ulcers and thromboembolic events.

They can also experience muscle atrophy or painful joint contractures.

All the symptoms associated with paraplegia and the resulting changes in normal functioning also lead to the fact that the patient is at an increased risk of developing depressive disorders.

Paraplegia: treatment

Paraplegia, unfortunately, is incurable - the damage that causes it is usually irreversible. Research is being carried out on experimental therapies (including those with the use of stem cells and the transplantation of fragments of nerve fibers). However, these therapies are very expensive and their effectiveness is still being assessed.

Currently, most patients use methods that help not only increase their overall fitness, but also prevent complications from paraplegia.

The most important thing for patients with paralysis of the lower limbs is regular rehabilitation - thanks to it, some patients manage to improve, and in addition, it can prevent, for example, loss of muscle mass.

Some patients with paraplegia use pharmacological treatment - sometimes drugs with a myorelaxant effect are used (especially in patients who develop spasticity) orpainkillers.

In patients with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events, the use of anticoagulants may be indicated.

It is worth adding here that patients with paraplegia should not only be looked after by a physiotherapist, but also have psychological support provided.

Paraplegia: prognosis

As mentioned above, paraplegia is incurable - people who experience this problem usually require assistance with daily activities or the use of specialized equipment such as a wheelchair for the rest of their lives.

  • Tetraplegia - causes, symptoms, treatment, prognosis
  • Hemiplegia (hemiplegia) - causes, symptoms, treatment, prognosis
  • Todd's paralysis: causes, symptoms, treatment
  • Paresis - causes. What diseases are manifested by paresis?

Category:

Neurology