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Paraplegia

Paraplegia is a condition in which the lower part of a patient's body is paralyzed and cannot move. It is usually the result of spinal cord injury or a congenital condition such as spina bifida, but polyneuropathy may also result in paraplegia. If the arms are also paralyzed, quadriplegia is a more appropriate diagnosis. more...

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Medicines

Causes

Central nervous system: Any disease process affecting the pyramidal tract of the spinal cord from the thoracic spine downward may lead to paraplegia, as this structure transmits "instructions" for movement from the brain to the anterior horn. This is the most common cause of paraplegia. It is usually spastic: it results in an increased muscle tone in the affected limbs. Causes range from trauma (acute spinal cord injury: transsection or compression of the cord, usually by bone fragments from vertebral fractures) to tumors (chronic compression of the cord), myelitis transversa and multiple sclerosis. Sometimes, paralysis of both legs can result from injury to the brain (bilateral injury of the motor cortex controling the legs, e.g. due to a stroke or a brain tumor).

Peripheral nervous system: Rarer is the type which is caused by damage to the nerves supplying the legs. This form of damage is not usually symmetrical and would not cause paraplegia, but polyneuropathy may cause paraplegia if motor fibres are affected. While in theory the arms should also be affected, the fibres that supply the legs are longer and hence more vulnerable to damage.

Disability

While some people with paraplegia can walk to a degree, many are dependant on wheelchairs or other supportive measures. Impotence and various degrees of urinary and fecal incontinence are very common in those affected.

Complications

Due to the decreased movement and inability to walk, paraplegia may cause numerous medical complications, many of which can be prevented with good nursing care. These include pressure sores (decubitus), thrombosis and pneumonia. Physiotherapyand various assistive technology, such as a standing frame, may aid in preventing these complications.

Support organisations

  • Back-Up Trust

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Laborer falls into trench: Statutory violations: Paraplegia: Bowel perforation: Verdict
Miraglia v. H&L Corp., N.Y., Bronx County Sup. Ct., No. 25228/00, Feb. 13, 2004. Miraglia, 42, was removing pins from a temporary wall at a construction ...
Truck driver hit by forklift: Lack of training: Pelvic fractures: Incomplete paraplegia: Verdict: Punitive damages
Miller v. McGrath Steel Co., Cal., Alameda County Super. Ct., No. 2001-032109, Sept. 4, 2003. Miller, 53, was delivering a trailer to a steel company.
Man shot by police officer: Excessive force: Paraplegia: Verdict
CIVIL RIGHTS Campos v. City of New York, N.Y., New York County Sup. Ct., No. 108667/96, Oct. 10, 2003. Campos, 23, approached an off-duty police officer, ...
Pathologic quiz case: Acute-onset paraplegia in a 60-year-old woman: Pathologic diagnosis: Spinal cord infarction secondary to fibrocartilaginous (Intervertebral
A 60-year-old woman with a medical history of chronic lower back pain presented with a chief complaint that she could not walk. After swimming, she had ...
Man falls through bleachers: Negligent maintenance of premises: Code violations: Paraplegia: Settlement
Whitt v. Ocala Speedway, Inc., Fla., Marion County 5th Jud. Cir. Ct., No. 03-100-CA-G, June 27, 2003. Whitt, 48, was watching races at a speedway. As he walked down the bleachers toward the concessio
Student shot twice by police officer: Undue force: Paraplegia: Neurogenic bladder, bowel: Settlement
CIVIL RIGHTS Balandin v. Eagle, U.S. Dist. Ct., D. Minn., No. 01-CV-790 (JEL/JGL), Feb. 19, 2003. Balandin, 17, was at a party where he was taking the ...
Snowboard jump: Ramp angle at takeoff too steep: Dangerously configured landing area: Paraplegia: Verdict
Snowboard jump: Ramp angle at takeoff too steep: Dangerously configured landing area: Paraplegia: Verdict. Vine ro. Bear Valley Ski Co., Cal., San Francisco ...
Housepainter touches bare spot on power line: Negligent maintenance: Failure to inspect: Fall: Paraplegia: Multiple fractures: Verdict
Litka v. Connectiv Power Delivery, Inc., N.J., Camden County Super. Ct., No. L-6180-00, Jan. 17, 2003. Litka, 42, was standing on a ladder washing a house ...

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