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Paralysis is a general term used to describe the loss of
movements and/or sensation following damage to the nervous
system.
Knowing the precise level of the injury is helpful in predicting
which parts of the body will be affected by paralysis and loss
of function.
Paraplegia describes complete or
incomplete paralysis affecting
the legs and possibly also the trunk, but not the arms. The
extent to which the trunk is affected depends on the level of
spinal cord injury. Paraplegia is the result of damage to the
cord at T1 and below.
Injuries at the thoracic level and below result in paraplegia,
with the hands not affected. At T-1 to T-8 there is most often
control of the hands, but poor trunk control as the result of
lack of abdominal muscle control. Lower T-injuries (T-9 to T-12)
allow good truck control and good abdominal muscle control.
Sitting balance is very good. Lumbar and Sacral injuries yield
decreasing control of the hip flexors and legs.
Besides a loss of sensation or motor functioning, people with
SCI also experience other changes. For example, they may
experience dysfunction of the bowel and bladder,. Sexual
functioning is frequently impaired or lost with SCI. Men may
have their fertility affected, while a women's fertility is
generally not affected. Other effects of SCI may include low
blood pressure, inability to regulate blood pressure
effectively, reduced control of body temperature, inability to
sweat below the level of injury, and chronic pain.
T-1
injuries are the first level with normal hand function. They can
perform all motor functions of a non-injured person, with the
exception of standing and walking. As thoracic levels proceed
caudally, intercostal and abdominal musculature recovery is
present, and there is improved respiratory function and trunk
balance as a result. Some complete
lower injuries have partial trunk movement and may be able to
stand, with long leg braces and a walker, and may be able to
walk short distances using this equipment, with assistance. T6-12 patients also have
partial abdominal muscle strength, and may be able to walk
independently for short distances with long leg braces and a
walker or crutches (The working abdominal muscles are used to
throw the paralysed legs forward whilst the body weight is taken
on a frame or crutches)
Attempting this form of walking is
normally a decision taking in a medical environment. It
takes a lot of determination and strength to achieve
any success with this sort of walking. It isn't for
everyone, indeed many complete paraplegics won't
even want to try it.
Incomplete Paraplegia -
Tetraplegia -
Complete SCI -
Incomplete SCI -
Treatment -
Complications
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Causes of SCI -
My Injury
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