Paraparesis is a condition characterized by the inability to partially move the lower limbs, which may occur due to genetic changes, spinal damage or viral infections, resulting in difficulty walking, urinary problems and muscle spasms.
Symptoms can occur at any time in life, mainly because of difficulty in walking due to loss of strength and muscular endurance. In addition, there may be muscle spasms, erection difficulties, and urinary problems.
The paraparesis does not have a cure, but the treatment is fundamental to improve the quality of life of the person and reduce the symptoms, being indicated the practice of physical activities and physiotherapy.
What causes paraparesis
Partial paralysis of the lower limbs can be classified according to its cause into two main types:
- Hereditary spastic paraparesis, which is characterized by genetic and hereditary alterations that cause damage or progressive degeneration of the nerve pathways. Symptoms of this type of paraparesis may appear at any age, but it usually occurs between 10 and 40 years and is characterized by progressive weakening and stiffening of the legs.
- Tropical spastic paraparesis, in which partial paralysis of the lower limbs occurs due to infection with the HTLV-1 virus and the symptoms usually take time to appear, being generally perceived between 40 and 50 years.
In addition to the genetic and infectious cause, paraparesis can also happen due to some situation that leads to frequent compression of the limbs or spinal injury, such as car accidents, horse falls and herniated disc, for example, besides being able to be consequence of multiple sclerosis.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of paraparesis may appear at any time, especially if it is caused by genetic changes, and symptoms may develop as early as the first year of life. The symptoms are progressive and affect the lower limbs, the main ones being:
- Progressive muscle stiffening and stiffness;
- Muscle spasms in some cases;
- Difficulties of balance;
- Urinary problems;
- Erection dysfunction;
- Difficulty walking;
- Back pain that may radiate to the legs.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the person may feel the need to use a crutch or wheelchair, for example. Consultation with an orthopaedist or general practitioner is indicated when the first symptoms are indicative of paraparesis, so that it is possible to perform diagnostic tests and to establish the treatment, preventing the evolution of the disease.
Normally, paraparesis is diagnosed by excluding diseases with similar symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis, for example, in addition to magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord and electromyography, which is an examination that checks for muscle injuries and nerves by recording the conduction of the electrical impulse generated by the equipment. Understand how electromyography is done.
In the case of hereditary paraparesis, genetic tests may be requested to check for the presence of a mutation as well as a family history so that it can be seen if close relatives have the disease change or symptoms.
Is paraplegia the same as paraparesis?
Although they indicate paralysis of the lower limbs, paraplegia and paraparesis are different. Paraparesis corresponds to a partial inability to move lower limbs whose symptoms may appear at any time in life, as the disease may be hereditary or caused by a virus.
In the case of paraplegia, the paralysis of the lower limbs is total, that is, the person can not move the legs at any time, becoming dependent on the wheelchair. This usually happens due to spinal cord injuries and results not only in the lack of mobility of the lower limbs, but also in the inability to control the urine and intestine. Understand what paraplegia is.
How is the treatment done?
Paraparesis does not have a cure, so the treatment is done with the objective of relieving the symptoms, and it is usually recommended by the doctor the use of medicines capable of alleviating the aches and muscle spasms that can occur, such as Baclofen. In addition, physiotherapy sessions are recommended.
Physiotherapy is essential in the treatment of paraparesis because the exercises performed help maintain limb mobility and stimulate muscle strength, mobility and endurance, as well as help prevent cramps and spasms.
