Paraplegia and quadriplegia are serious conditions that involve partial paralysis of the body. In the case of paraplegia, the patient is paralyzed from the waist down, while a quadriplegic has paralysis that affects the body from the neck down. Paralysis is caused by spinal cord injury and can be partial or complete, depending on the nature of the injury and how it was treated. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt is a well-known example of a paraplegic; Scientist Steven Hawking is a quadriplegic.
Three things can lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia: disease, trauma, and congenital conditions. A paraplegic has a spinal cord injury in the lower spine, causing loss of sensation and mobility in the legs and lower trunk; In many cases, paraplegics have problems with the internal organs of their lower bodies, such as their bladders. A quadriplegic has a higher spinal injury, usually to the cervical spine, and in addition to limited mobility in the arms and legs, may have a number of problems related to a lack of control over internal organs.
Diseases such as polio, syphilis, Lou Gehrig's disease, and multiple sclerosis have been linked to complete or partial paralysis. Trauma, such as a gunshot wound or a hard fall, can also damage the spinal cord, while congenital conditions such as spina bifida cause problems from birth. In all cases, the earlier the problem is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the patient. Paraplegia and quadriplegia cannot be cured, but treatment can slow and reduce the extent of damage to the spinal cord, allowing the patient greater mobility.
A totally paralyzed paraplegic cannot move his legs and has no sensation. Partial paralysis may allow a paraplegic to move their toes or legs, but usually only with great difficulty. In the case of quadriplegics, also known as quadriplegics, partial paralysis is much more common, because total paralysis would mean that the patient's internal organs would not be able to function, requiring extensive supportive care from medical devices.
Being quadriplegic or paraplegic can be challenging. Paralysis puts the patient at risk for a variety of health problems, including fractures, pneumonia, infections, bed sores, and cardiovascular problems. Supportive care may be required, especially for quadriplegics. However, many people with paralysis live very satisfying and sometimes active lives; both quadriplegics and paraplegics can compete in the Paralympics, for example, and some paraplegics enjoy activities such as extreme wheelchair sports and para-equestrian sport.