Patient education: Paraplegia and quadriplegia (The Basics)

What are paraplegia and quadriplegia? — Paraplegia is the medical term for when people can't move their legs, but can move their arms. Quadriplegia is the term doctors use when people can't move their arms or legs.

The most common cause of paraplegia and quadriplegia is an injury to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that runs down a person's back (figure 1). Certain problems that affect the brain or nerves can also lead to paraplegia and quadriplegia in some cases. Examples include Guillain Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

What other symptoms can people with paraplegia or quadriplegia have? — Besides being unable to move part of their body, people might also have:

●No feeling in their arms or legs

●No control over their bladder or bowels

●Trouble breathing – This can happen only with quadriplegia.

●Sex problems, including trouble getting an erection or ejaculating

Will I need tests? — Yes. People with paraplegia or quadriplegia have tests to see what's causing their condition and how serious their condition is. Different tests can include:

●X-rays

●Imaging tests, such as a CT or MRI scan – Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

●Nerve tests to check whether the nerves are working normally

How are paraplegia and quadriplegia treated? — Treating paraplegia and quadriplegia involves treatment right after the spinal cord injury, if there was one, plus long-term treatment.

Right after a spinal cord injury, people are treated in the hospital. There, doctors can monitor them and treat any medical problems that happen. For instance, people who are having a very hard time breathing usually need a breathing tube. A breathing tube is a tube that goes down the throat and into the lungs. The other end is attached to a machine that helps with breathing.

Some people with a spinal cord injury are treated with:

●Medicines called steroids – These can help reduce swelling in the spinal cord.

●Surgery to fix the back bones (vertebrae), if they got pushed out of position

People with Guillain Barre syndrome or multiple sclerosis will be treated for those conditions.

As people recover from their injury or illness, they might get something called "rehabilitation." Rehabilitation, or "rehab," is the care people get after an injury. In rehabilitation, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals will teach you how to be as independent as possible and stay as healthy as possible. This includes learning how to:

●Use a wheelchair

●Manage your bladder and bowel, if you cannot control them

●Exercise, so that you can regain as much movement in your arms or legs as possible

●Cope with feelings of sadness or anger

A big part of long-term treatment is helping prevent problems that commonly happen in people with paraplegia or quadriplegia. These include:

●Urinary tract infections and kidney problems

●Pressure sores, which are areas of damage to the skin and tissue under the skin caused by pressure

●Lung infections and breathing problems

●Osteoporosis, which is a disease that makes your bones weak

●Muscle and joint stiffness

●Pain

●Depression

Your doctor or nurse will show you ways to prevent and manage these problems.

What will my life be like with paraplegia or quadriplegia? — Most people with paraplegia or quadriplegia lead a full life. Many people are able to work, drive, have serious relationships, and have children. Some people even regain some movement or feeling in their arms or legs.

Many people with paraplegia or quadriplegia worry about whether they will be able to have sex. Problems with sex are common, but there are medicines and devices that can often help.

If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, tell your doctor or nurse. There are treatments that can help.

More on this topic

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Patient education: Multiple sclerosis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Pressure sores (The Basics)
Patient education: Osteoporosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic pain (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Sex problems in males (The Basics)
Patient education: Sex problems in females (The Basics)
Patient education: Advance directives (The Basics)
Patient education: Going home from the hospital (The Basics)

Patient education: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Depression in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Sexual problems in men (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Sexual problems in females (Beyond the Basics)