Tetraparesis or quadriparesis is a condition in which all four limbs of the patient suffer from muscle weakness. Some patients may not be able to control the motor function of their limbs, while others may experience partial paralysis of some limbs. Tetraparesis can be either spastic (unusual stiffness or tightness of muscles and tendons) or flaccid (muscles become limp).
Variations
Complete paralysis of all four limbs is known as tetraplegia or quadriplegia.
Muscle weakness of the legs but not the arms is called paraparesis, while complete paralysis of the legs is known as paraplegia.
Prognosis of the disease
There are several possible causes of tetraparesis, some of which are treatable, while others will affect the patient for the rest of his or her life.
There are several possible causes of tetraparesis, some of which are treatable.
Symptoms of tetraparesis
Tetraparesis itself can be a symptom of several conditions. Its main characteristics are:
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis of certain limbs or parts of certain limbs
- Lack of motor control
- Poor or deficient tendon reflexes
Other possible effects are:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss of sexual function
- Difficulty breathing
What causes tetraparesis?
Muscle weakness is caused when nerve impulses passing along the spinal cord are partially interrupted. Because of this, the muscles connected to these nerves do not function properly.
There are several possible causes of tetraparesis. Most involve some type of nerve compression or damage, but in other cases it is symptomatic of a degenerative condition:
- Congenital tetraparesis: the condition is present from birth. Cerebral palsy is the most common congenital condition causing tetraparesis.
- Neurological degeneration can cause spastic tetraparesis.
- Spinal trauma that damages the spinal cord, such as those causing ruptured intervertebral discs
- Acute myopathies
- Transverse myelitis
- Encephalitis affecting the brainstem
- Certain infections, such as poliomyelitis and enterovirus
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Diseases of the neuromuscular junction, e.g., botulism
Treatments for tetraparesis
Before treating tetraparesis, the underlying cause must be identified and the extent of nerve damage assessed. After this, depending on the cause, several treatments may be possible:
- Surgical removal of spinal discs compressing nerves
- Surgery to resolve other causes of spinal cord compression
- Surgical tendon release
- Assistive devices to aid movement, such as canes, wheelchairs, etc.
- Physical therapy to strengthen muscles while nerves heal
What type of specialist treats tetraparesis?
Tetraparesis is treated by a neurologist.