Spinal Cord Injury: Tetraplegia vs. Paraplegia

Consider this, if the human body is a computer, our brain, and spinal cord together are the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Collectively, they make up the human Central Nervous System and carry out the crucial job of interpreting stimuli and processing our actions. Without the efficient use of both, our ‘computer’ crashes.

While the brain is the center of our thoughts and feelings, the spinal cord is the primary conduit of sensory and motor nerve impulses to and from the brain. It transfers messages to various parts of the body, allowing us to understand and react to the world around us. It is a long, fragile, tube-like structure consisting of nerves, that extends from the base of the brain to near the waist. Unfortunately, since the spinal cord is so specialized and delicate, any injury to it is devastating and requires medical expertise and determination to overcome.  

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is mutilations to the spinal cord that causes reversible or irreversible changes in its function. People who experience an SCI may feel that all aspects of their lives — physical, emotional, and social — have been affected.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

The current treatment for Spinal Cord Injury depends on two factors: the exact location of the injury along the spine, and the severity, also known as the ‘completeness’ of the injury.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury refers to the total loss of bodily movements, while Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury is characterized by the presence of some sensation and motor movements below the affected site.

Tetraplegia vs. Paraplegia 

Spinal Cord Injury remains one of the most common causes of partial or complete paralysis, also known as paraplegia and tetraplegia.

Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia) refers to the type of paralysis where the patient’s arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs are all impaired due to SCI.

It is caused by damage in the cervical spinal cord, which controls signals to the back of the head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and diaphragm.

Tetraplegics may experience the following symptoms:

●       Complete permanent loss of sensation below the site of injury

●       Loss of movement below the site of injury, loss of muscle control, and generalized weakness

●       Spasticity, also known as increased muscle tone

Paraplegia, on the other hand, affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. It can be either complete or partial, causing patients to struggle with movement below the level of injury as well as experience extensive loss of sensation.

Patients can suffer from either partial paraplegia, where only one leg may be affected and the other has a limited or normal function, or complete paraplegia when there is a complete loss of leg function and bladder or bowel control.

Paraplegia is the result of damage to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal cord (which controls signal transmission in the lower regions of the body).

Paraplegics can experience the following symptoms:

●        Loss of sensation below the site of the injury

●        Phantom sensations in the body, chronic and/or unexplained pain, electrical sensations, or other intermittent feelings in the lower half of the body

●        A total or partial loss of sexual function, libido, or fertility

●        Difficulty with bladder and bowel function

●        Loss of mobility below the level of injury

●        Mood changes; depression is common among people with a new paraplegia diagnosis

●        Secondary problems at the site of the injury, such as infections or lesions

●        Autonomic dysreflexia — rapid heartbeat, spikes in blood pressure, and other changes in autonomic function related to spinal nerve damage or traumatic brain injury.

Causes

The top causes of SCI, according to The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, are:

●        Vehicular Accidents (38.6%) - #1 cause of spinal trauma

●        Falls (32.2%)

●        Acts of Violence (14%)

●        Sports Injuries (7.8%)

●        Medical/Surgical Injuries (4.2%)

●        Other (3.2%) – includes Strokes, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, Arthritis, and Osteoporosis

Treatment, Recovery, and Outlook

The treatment for Spinal Cord Injury depends on the area of the spine that has been damaged. It commences with a complete neurological examination, followed by a Regenerative Rehabilitation Program. This is a holistic procedure comprising Stem Cell Therapy, Stem Cell Nutritive Therapy, and various medications. The rehabilitation program consists of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic massages, and similar procedures, determined by the medical team.

Emotional support for patients suffering from SCI is extremely important, and Spinal Cord Injury Support Groups play a valuable role in helping patients cope with life after paralysis.

There are few achievements more powerful than overcoming a devastating injury and taking back control of your life. With proper care, treatment, and support, people with a Spinal Cord Injury can lead productive, independent, and fulfilling lives.