What is paraplegia? How is the treatment?
Paraplegia, also known as spinal cord paralysis, is a disease characterized by loss of movement and sensation in both legs and generally in the lower extremities, including the stomach and waist area. Paraparesis, a disease similar to spinal cord paralysis, is partial paralysis of both legs. In other words, in paraplegia, there is movement in the feet, but the patient cannot walk without assistance due to loss of strength.
Causes of paraplegia
Paraplegia, which occurs due to spinal cord damage resulting from falls, gunshot wounds, and car and motorcycle accidents, can also be caused by spinal tumors. Scoliosis, defined as an abnormal lateral sliding of the bone structure surrounding the spinal cord, can lead to spinal cord paralysis as it progresses. Spina bifida, a birth defect that results in the spinal bones not closing, is also among the causes of spinal cord paralysis.
Causes of spastic paraplegia
Spastic paraplegia, which develops due to damage to the brain tissue, affects movement and mental functions. Genetic disorders in the brain tissue, infections experienced by the mother during pregnancy, blood incompatibility in the parents, alcohol and cigarette consumption during pregnancy, head traumas and febrile diseases can be counted as causes of spastic paraplegia.
Symptoms of paraplegia
Loss of reflexes, sensation and movement may occur below the damaged spinal cord area. Depending on the location of the damaged area and the loss of damage to the spinal cord, patients may experience loss of bladder and bowel control and sexual dysfunction. If the spinal cord is completely damaged, there is no feeling or movement in the entire lower extremity, starting from the area of damage. In partial spinal cord injuries, sphincter muscle control, known as the sphincter muscle, is not impaired.
Complications of paraplegia
Paraplegic patients’ resistance to infections decreases and their risk of contracting diseases increases. Healing processes are longer. Diseases such as septicemia and pneumonia can lead to the death of these patients. One of the most common causes of death in these patients is pulmonary embolism. Since patients with paraplegia lose the ability to move their leg muscles, there is a high risk of blood clots passing from the leg veins to the heart. A blood clot in the artery leading from the heart to the lungs can prevent breathing and lead to death. In addition, paraplegic patients may develop bedsores, intestinal problems, blood pressure problems, circulatory disorders, muscle stiffness and joint frostbite due to long periods of inactivity.
paraplegia treatment
For paraplegia treatment, a special physical therapy program is applied to the damaged area, taking into account the level of damage, the patient’s general health condition and age. An adequate and balanced nutrition program, in addition to a correct physical therapy and rehabilitation program, improves the patient’s quality of life. The patient’s relatives are informed so that physical therapy can continue at home. They may be advised to use a power chair so that they can move around the house comfortably.
