What is tetraplegia?
Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is a spinal cord injury. It can result in partial or complete loss of limbs and torso, sensory and motor.
Spinal cord injuries can be classified into five categories:
- Complete spinal cord injury: this is the most severe. The affected person has no sensory or motor skills below the injury.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: a certain degree of sensation is maintained. Limited motor skills below the injury.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: the patient has sensation and muscle control, even if the muscles are weak and do not function.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: 75% of muscles functional.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: minimal injury. Sensation and strength are at near normal levels.
Prognosis of the disease
Any damage to the spinal cord represents a complex injury and an immediate prognosis cannot usually be given. This will vary according to severity, which may include minor or major degrees of disability, sensation and mobility.
In many cases, the greatest progress occurs in the first six months, although there may still be small improvements over the course of one to two years.
Symptoms of quadriplegia
The first aspect to evaluate is the location of the lesion. Generally speaking, higher lesions cause more extensive paralysis.
The most obvious symptom is damage to the limbs, which may also affect the trunk. This can cause a loss of control of various anatomical functions, such as:
- Bladder and bowel
- Sexual function
- Digestion
- Breathing
- Movement
- Sensitivity
The patient’s general sensation may be altered in the affected areas, with signs such as numbness, loss of sensation and burning of neuropathic pain.
What are the causes of tetraplegia?
Tetraplegia is caused by damage to the spinal cord, cervical spine or brain. Traffic accidents are a common cause of these injuries, which can also be caused by a tumor or other diseases of the spinal canal. Some diseases that can cause tetraplegia are transverse myelitis, multiple sclerosis and Guillain Barré syndrome.
In other cases, injuries can occur in children before, during and after birth. The most common cause is lack of oxygen to the brain for a short period of time, due to an infectious disease or complications during childbirth.
Can it be prevented?
It is important to adopt adequate safety measures during work or sports activities, as well as to be careful when diving in shallow water.
Seat belts reduce the possibility of serious injury in the event of a traffic accident.
What is the treatment?
There is currently no cure, but loss of function and sensation in certain parts of the body is addressed, taking into account the extent of the injury and the patient’s condition. With respect to spinal cord injuries, we try to prevent the most severe ones and enable the patient to return to the most active life with the best possible quality of life.
Some treatments may include:
- Breathing care
- Skin care
- Exercises to improve movement and strength.
- Occupational therapy
- Programs to improve bowel and bladder control.
- Physical therapy
Tetraplegia testing
The physician will perform an objective examination and evaluate the symptoms and review the medical history. A test to evaluate sensory function and movement will also be necessary.
Other tests may include:
- X-rays
- CT scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging
Which specialist is in charge?
Quadriplegia is treated by a multidisciplinary team (which may also include specialists in neurology or physical therapy), also depending on the severity of the injury.