There are some injuries that can change the course of a person’s life, and paralysis is one of them. It is a drastic shift for a person who had full use of their body to learn to live without key abilities. When looking at paralysis, there are two main types: paraplegic vs quadriplegic.
Paraplegic vs Quadriplegic: Extent of Injury
Quadriplegia and paraplegia are both types of paralysis that can result from damage to the spinal cord. Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, is the paralysis of all four limbs and the torso. Paraplegia is the paralysis of the lower limbs and the torso. Both quadriplegia and paraplegia can result from a variety of injuries or conditions, including trauma, inflammation, or degeneration of the spinal cord.
The main difference between quadriplegia and paraplegia is the extent of the paralysis. Quadriplegia affects both the arms and legs, while paraplegia only affects the legs and the torso. The severity of the paralysis can vary depending on the location of the injury on the spinal cord. Injuries higher on the spinal cord, closer to the brain, tend to cause more severe paralysis.
Both quadriplegia and paraplegia can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and may require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. The specific treatment and management plan for quadriplegia or paraplegia will depend on the individual’s specific needs and the cause of their paralysis.
Paraplegic vs Quadriplegic Injuries: Causes
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain through the neck, back, and lower spine. It is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body, allowing us to move and feel sensations. Damage to the spinal cord may disrupt these signals, resulting in paralysis.
Quadriplegia can occur from damage to the spinal cord in the neck or upper back, causing paralysis of the arms, legs, and torso. Damage to the spinal cord in the lower back may lead to paraplegia, causing paralysis of the legs and torso.
Trauma
Car crashes are a common cause of paralysis. These types of injuries can occur when the spinal cord is damaged as a result of the trauma of the crash. Other kinds of trauma, including a fall, or sports injury can also cause paralysis. The location and force of the impact can affect whether a person faces a paraplegic vs quadriplegic injury.
Medical Problems
Unexpected medical issues can also lead to spinal problems. Tumors that grow on or near the spinal cord can compress or damage the cord, leading to paralysis. Inflammation of the spinal cord from meningitis or other infections can cause swelling and injury to the cord. Degenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal stenosis can lead to damage to the spinal cord over time, resulting in paralysis. Some individuals are born with conditions that cause paralysis over time.
Car Wrecks and Paralysis
Car crashes are the top cause of any type of paralysis in the United States, so it’s worth looking deeper into the risks. In a car crash, the forces of the impact can cause the spine to bend or twist in unnatural ways, resulting in damage to the spinal cord. This damage can disrupt the flow of signals between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to paralysis.
Even rear-end crashes can cause a spinal injury that leaves a person paralyzed. Such crashes are some of the most common collisions on the road, but people often do not treat them with the seriousness they warrant. According to AZDOT, nearly half of vehicle collisions in Arizona in 2019 were rear-end crashes.
The damage done to the spinal cord during a crash is not always immediately obvious. Right after a crash, the body is often full of adrenaline, a hormone that can make the body less receptive to pain. This can hide injuries and make a person think he or she is okay. In reality, they may have a spinal cord injury that could eventually lead to partial or full paralysis.
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car crash to identify any potential spinal cord injuries and begin appropriate treatment. Early treatment can help improve the chances of a successful recovery and reduce the long-term effects of paralysis.
Whether paraplegic vs quadriplegic injuries occur as a result of a car crash will depend on the location and extent of the injury to the spinal cord. Injuries to the neck or upper back may cause quadriplegia while injuries to the lower back may cause paraplegia.
Either paralysis condition will lead to years of treatment and drastic changes in the way a person lives and works. People who make a living through physical work may see some of the most detrimental changes from paralysis since they can’t use their skillset anymore. This is why it’s important to get the right compensation after a crash. Sargon Law Group has a team of experienced Phoenix injury attorneys that can help you get what you need to manage your injury.
Paraplegic vs. Quadriplegic Injuries: Health Issues
Spinal problems and paralysis are major health conditions, and they can also cause problems in other parts of the body. The spine is the main highway of the nervous system, and nerves play a role in how muscles and organs function.
One of the main ways that paralysis can affect the body is by disrupting the flow of blood and nutrients to the affected areas. When the muscles are not used, they may become weak and atrophied, leading to a decreased circulation of blood and nutrients. This can result in a variety of complications, including pressure sores, muscle atrophy, and osteoporosis.
Paralysis can also affect the respiratory system. In individuals with quadriplegia, paralysis of the chest muscles may make it difficult to breathe and cough effectively, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and other respiratory problems. Paralysis can also affect the gastrointestinal system. When the muscles of the abdomen and intestines are not able to function properly, it can lead to constipation and other digestive issues.
Because more of the torso and chest are affected in a person who is quadriplegic, the impact of the paralysis on the organs may be more severe.
In addition to these physical effects, paralysis can also have a significant impact on a person’s mental health. The physical and emotional challenges of living with paralysis can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Often, paraplegic and quadriplegic patients feel isolated because they can’t as easily participate in activities, worsening their mental health problems.
Paraplegic vs Quadriplegic Injuries: Treatments
Paralysis is not curable in most cases, but there are therapies to help with some of the difficulties that the condition brings. The treatments are similar for both paraplegic and quadriplegic patients.
Paraplegia Treatment
Treatment for paraplegia often has a focus on medical, surgical, and rehabilitation approaches. The specific treatment plan will depend on the individual’s specific needs and the cause of their paralysis.
Medical treatment for paraplegia may include medications to control pain, spasticity, and other symptoms. Surgical treatment may be necessary to repair any structural damage to the spine or other parts of the body. This can include procedures to stabilize the spine, repair fractures, or decompress the spinal cord.
Rehabilitation is also key. This may involve physical, occupational, and other therapies to help the person regain strength and function. Rehabilitation may also include the use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, braces, and other adaptive equipment to help the person achieve greater independence.
In addition to traditional rehabilitation approaches, individuals with paraplegia may also benefit from neural rehabilitation techniques such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) or epidural stimulation. These techniques use electrical impulses to stimulate the nerves and muscles in the affected area, helping to improve movement and function.
Quadriplegia Treatment
Treatment for quadriplegia often involves a combination of medical, surgical, and rehabilitation approaches as well. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve mobility and function, and maximize independence.
Medical treatment for quadriplegia may include medications to control pain, spasticity, and other symptoms. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation therapies also help the person regain strength and function. As a part of rehabilitation, the patient may learn to use assistive devices such as wheelchairs, braces, and other adaptive equipment.
Long-Term Care and Quadriplegia
Because of the nature of a paraplegic vs quadriplegic injury, different levels of ongoing therapy may be needed. It is a good idea for both types of patients to have regular physical therapy for the rest of their lives to keep muscles and joints in the best possible condition. Reducing the atrophy in the muscles keeps the body in better condition overall.
Quadriplegic patients often need more comprehensive long-term care, particularly because of the increased risk of respiratory problems. Respiratory illnesses can be especially problematic for individuals with quadriplegia who also have other medical conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To manage respiratory issues in individuals with quadriplegia, a doctor may recommend a variety of approaches, including medications, assistive devices, and respiratory therapies.
- Medications: A variety of medications can help to manage respiratory issues in individuals with quadriplegia. These may include bronchodilators to open the airways, inhaled corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and antibiotics to treat or prevent infections.
- Assistive devices: Assistive devices such as non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or positive airway pressure (PAP) devices may be used to help individuals with quadriplegia breathe more easily. These devices deliver pressurized air through a mask or nasal prongs, helping to keep the airways open and improving ventilation.
- Respiratory therapies: Respiratory therapies such as chest physical therapy (CPT) or incentive spirometry may help individuals with quadriplegia clear secretions from their airways and improve their lung function. These therapies may be performed by a therapist or caregiver and may involve the use of specialized equipment.
Long-Term Care and Paraplegia
Paraplegia can affect the gastrointestinal system and may lead to a variety of digestive issues. When the muscles of the abdomen and intestines are not able to function properly, it can lead to constipation and other digestive issues. Constipation is a common problem in individuals with paraplegia, causing discomfort, bloating, and abdominal pain and leading to more serious complications such as fecal impaction and bowel obstruction.
To manage gastrointestinal issues in individuals with paraplegia, a variety of approaches may be used, including medications, dietary changes, and bowel management programs.
Costs of Living With Paralysis
In addition to the physical and emotional costs of paraplegic vs quadriplegic injuries, there is also a financial cost. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation, the costs can easily climb past six figures in just the first year of dealing with the injury, with hundreds of thousands of dollars needed for care and equipment in subsequent years. Lifetime costs can quickly surpass $1 million.
Those costs only take into account the expenses a person will have as they try to heal and live, not the money they could miss from lost wages. A patient who can no longer do the work they are accustomed to will have to turn to disability pay or other government assistance after an injury. That money doesn’t always add up to the pre-injury income, especially when considering the new cost of care for the injured person. This is why it is important to get proper compensation if another party is responsible for the injury.
Understanding Paraplegic vs Quadriplegic Injuries and Getting Help
Paraplegic vs quadriplegic injuries have distinct differences, but both forms of paralysis will alter a person’s life and require years of specialized and expensive care. Car crashes are one of the top causes of paralysis, making it extremely important that everyone does their part to keep the roads safe. If another driver fails to act properly and leaves you dealing with paraplegia, quadriplegia or another serious injury, you may be able to receive compensation to help you recover. Call the Sargon Law Group to get the help you need from one of our Phoenix car accident attorneys.