- Paraplegia has a cure?
- Types of paraplegia
- Physiotherapy for paraplegia
- What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?
- What causes paraplegia
Paraplegia is the medical term used when the patient is unable to move or feel his legs, a situation that can be permanent and that is usually caused by an injury to the spinal cord.
In addition to not being able to move his legs, the paraplegic also does not control urine and intestines and, therefore, he often suffers from urinary tract infection and constipation.
Paraplegia has a cure?
Paraplegia usually has no cure, but when it is caused by compression of the spinal cord or by some infectious or degenerative diseases, it can be cured.
In the case of spinal cord compression, surgery can be effective to decompress the area, allowing the transmission of nerve impulses and in the case of diseases, when they are properly treated, paraplegia is reversed.
However, in most cases paraplegia has no cure and physiotherapy is recommended to stimulate blood circulation, prevent the formation of bedsores, avoid contracting the joints and facilitate transfers from the chair to the sofa, and to the bed, for example. example.
Types of paraplegia
The types of paraplegia can be:
- Spastic Paraplegia: when an abnormal increase in muscle tone of the legs is observed, with increased stiffness; Flaccid Paraplegia: when the leg muscles are very weak; Complete Paraplegia: when there is no sensation or movement of the legs; Incomplete Paraplegia: when there is sensitivity, but the strength of the legs is decreased.
The neurologist indicates the type of paraplegia that the person has after the consultation where he investigates muscle strength and sensitivity, but imaging tests such as magnetic resonance and computed tomography can show the severity of the spinal cord injury.
Physiotherapy for paraplegia
Physiotherapy for paraplegia consists of exercises that improve blood circulation and avoid the deformities that usually happen when muscles are not properly stimulated.
Physiotherapeutic treatment should be guided by the physiotherapist, depending on the needs that the patient presents. During rehabilitation, the patient can do swimming or another sport appropriate to his reality, in order to improve self-esteem and increase physical and emotional well-being. Some general guidelines are:
- Perform passive movements according to the amplitude of the hips and legs; Make movements that preserve the joints of the shoulders, elbows and wrists; Wear elastic stockings; Do exercises that promote venous return; Do strength training to strengthen the muscles of the arms, chest, shoulders and back.
As they sit in the wheelchair for a long time, these patients can develop wounds known for bedsores or pressure ulcers, which, if not properly treated, can become infected. What you can do to reduce the risk of bed sores is to change your position every 2 hours and place a special pillow on the wheelchair to facilitate blood circulation in this location.
What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?
While paraplegia affects only the legs, quadriplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is diagnosed when spinal cord injury compromises the movement of the 4 limbs, arms and legs, and the trunk. Learn more about quadriplegia and how the treatment is done.
What causes paraplegia
Paraplegia is caused by a severe spinal cord injury, which prevents nerve impulses from reaching the legs and feet. Some examples of situations that can damage the spinal cord are infectious diseases such as transverse myelitis, trauma as in road accidents, strokes, tumors, fractures of the vertebrae, injury by bombs or firearms, extreme sports and herniated discs.
These events can happen at any stage of life and as a consequence the person is unable to walk, requiring a wheelchair. Emotionally, it is normal for a person to be shaken, but with rehabilitation you can find well-being and improve quality of life again, but in most cases paraplegia is irreversible, and has no cure.
