Paraplegia is Rare but Manageable | Know How?

Today we will discuss paraplegia, which is a rare condition but surprisingly it is manageable too. You may be surprised to know but most special needs children are more exposed to paraplegia. Understanding how it affects life is very important. Apart from that, you would also come to know how it is different from other paralysis. So, let’s get started.

What is Paraplegia?

Paraplegia is paralysis or loss of function in the lower half of the body. For example, a teenage boy who is in a bad car accident might injure his lower spinal cord causing damage that leads to paraplegia.

This could result in paralyzed legs, lost sensation, and no ability to walk or control his bladder/bowel. However, paraplegics typically retain full use of their upper body and arms. They rely heavily on wheelchairs for mobility and independence.

Types of Paraplegia

• Complete – Total paralysis below injury
• Incomplete – Some sensation/movement remains
• Flaccid – Limp paralysis, loss of reflexes
• Spastic – Stiff, tight muscles
• Hereditary – Genetic disorders causing progressive leg weakness & stiffness

Paraplegia vs HSP vs Hereditary Familial Spastic Paraplegia

Term	Paraplegia	Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia	Hereditary Familial Spastic Paraplegia
Definition	Paralysis of the lower body (legs + trunk) due to spinal cord damage from injury or illness.	Group of genetic nerve disorders causing progressive leg stiffness/spasticity & weakness.	Inherited form of HSP running in families (multiple affected generations).
Onset	Any age – depends on cause (trauma, disease).	Often early childhood but can be teens.	Autosomal dominant: more severe in childhood. Autosomal recessive: often starts age 10-15 yrs.
Progression	Depends if condition improves or worsens.	Gets slowly worse over many years or decades.	Gets slowly worse over a long period of time.
Mobility	Wheelchair use common due to inability to walk.	Increasing difficulty walking. Mobility aids eventually needed.	Progressive loss of ability to walk unaided. Wheelchair likely later on.
Muscles	Flaccid (limp/paralyzed) or spastic (stiff).	Lower limb spasticity and wasting.	Spasticity and wasting of lower limb muscles.
Bladder/Bowel	Dysfunction common due to spinal nerves affected.	Can have bladder/bowel instability.	Can have bladder/bowel dysfunction.
Diagnosis	Imaging (MRI) of spinal cord injury.	Genetic testing to ID mutations.	Genetic testing confirms mutations in family lineage.
Treatment	Address underlying cause if possible + supportive medical care.	Medications, therapy, surgery – aims to manage symptoms.	Focuses on symptom management. No cure currently.
Family Risk	Environment or random causes.	50% chance of passing gene mutation to offspring.	Very high if mutations confirmed in extended family.

How Rare is Hereditary Familial Spastic Paraplegia?

Hereditary familial spastic paraplegia is considered a rare disorder, occurring in approximately 2-4 per 100,000 people globally. However, rates are higher in populations where consanguineous marriages are common, with prevalence up to 46 per 100,000 in regions like North Africa and the Middle East. So while rare overall, it can impact multiple relatives across generations within affected families.

FAQs

What kind of paraplegia treatment is available?

Treatments aim to manage symptoms and secondary complications through physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, surgery in some cases, and general health optimization.

What is incomplete paraplegia?

It is a spinal cord injury where some motor or sensory function remains below the level of damage. This provides an opportunity for further recovery.

What causes flaccid paraplegia? 

It results from spinal shock immediately after a spinal cord injury. Muscles become limp and reflexes are lost temporarily.

What is the difference between paralysis and paraplegia?

Paraplegia is paralysis of both legs and possibly part of the trunk. Other paralysis just affects a specific limb or muscle group.

How do paraplegia and quadriplegia differ from each other? 

Paraplegia refers to paralysis of the trunk and/or legs. Quadriplegia means paralysis affecting all four limbs and torso.

What causes paraplegia spinal cord injury? 

Damage to the thoracic or lumbar spinal segments interrupts neurological signals to the lower body resulting in paraplegia.

What are the main paraplegia types? 

Paraplegia may be flaccid (limp), spastic (stiff), or mixed. It can be complete or incomplete depending on degree of neurological damage.

Why is a paraplegia wheelchair needed?

Most paraplegics cannot walk efficiently due to paralyzed leg and trunk muscles. Custom wheelchairs enable mobility and independence.

What does rehab for paraplegics involve? 

Paraplegic rehab aims to build strength, prevent complications, maximize independence through occupational therapy, and use assistive technology.

What causes traumatic paraplegia? 

Sudden physical spinal cord injuries often from vehicle collisions, falls, or sports accidents result in traumatic paraplegia.

Sources:
https://www.physiotattva.com/blog/paraplegia-definition-causes-symptoms-types-treatment
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hereditary-spastic-paraplegia/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23984-paraplegia