Paraplegic or quadriplegic?
The human spine consists of the bony outer casing made up of segments of bone called vertebrae. They protect the spinal cord which runs the inner length of the spine. The spinal cord is like a mass of intertwined telegraph wires which transmit nerve messages from the brain to various parts of the body. They provide the initial stimulus from the brain for sensation and movement.
In spinal cord injury, the spine is normally damaged somewhere along its length. Thus it is said that you have broken your back or neck. The bone in the spine will mend as will other bones in the body when they are broken. However, the nerve tissue in the spinal cord, which is also damaged when the spine is broken, will not mend. It is this nerve damage which causes the permanent loss of function and results in the conditions known as paraplegia or quadriplegia. These conditions may also result from medical conditions, such as a tumour or abscess which result in spinal damage.
This damage can cause permanent loss of feeling and movement in the legs, arms and trunk. It can also mean the loss of bowel, bladder and local sexual function.
Paraplegia
involves a loss of sensation and movement in the legs and in part or all of the trunk. This varies according to the level of the injury. Generally, the lower the injury, the less the loss of movement and sensation. Paraplegia usually results from an injury to the spinal cord in the mid and lower back.
Quadriplegia
normally means a loss of sensation and movement in all four limbs and the trunk. This generally results from a spinal cord injury to the neck. However, the loss of sensation and movement may not be complete with some sensation and movement being retained in parts of the arms and legs.
Last Reviewed: 24 January 2003
