What is paraplegia

Paraplegia is the medical term used when the patient can not move or feel legs, a situation that can be permanent and is usually caused by a spinal cord injury.

In addition to not being able to move his legs, the paraplegic also does not control the urine and intestines and therefore he often suffers from urinary tract infection and constipation.

Because they remain seated in the wheelchair for a long time, these patients may develop sores known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, which, if not properly treated, can infect and can lead to death. What can be done to reduce the risk of bedsores is to change position every 2 hours and put a special cushion in the wheelchair.

Paraplegia has a cure?

Paraplegia usually has no cure, but when it is caused by a compression of the spinal cord or some infectious or degenerative diseases, it can be cured.

In the case of compression of the marrow, a surgery may be effective to decompress the area, allowing the transmission of nerve impulses and in the case of diseases, when they are properly treated the paraplegia is reversed.

Types of paraplegia

The types of paraplegia can be:

• Spastic Paraplegia: when there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone of the legs, with increased stiffness;
• Flaccid Paraplegia: when the leg muscles become very weak;
• Complete Paraplegia: when there is no sensitivity or movement of the legs;
• Incomplete paraplegia: when there is sensitivity, but the strength of the legs is decreased.

Physiotherapy for paraplegia

Physiotherapy for paraplegia consists of exercises that improve blood circulation and prevent 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 swim or other sport appropriate to their reality in order to improve self-esteem and increase physical and emotional well-being.

What is the difference between paraplegia and tetraplegia?

While paraplegia affects only the legs, quadriplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is diagnosed when the spinal cord injury compromises the movement of the 4 limbs, the arms and legs, and the trunk. Learn more about tetraplegia and how treatment is done.