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Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

Paralysis is a condition in which the arms, legs, or both no longer respond to messages from the brain. There are two main types of paralysis: paraplegia and quadriplegia. Both paraplegia and quadriplegia are caused by injury or disease affecting the spinal cord.

What is Paraplegia?

Paraplegia is permanent paralysis of the lower body, including the legs and sometimes the chest. Paraplegia is caused by disease or injury to the spinal cord below the neck, at the lumbar or thoracic sections of the spine.

What is Quadriplegia?

Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, is permanent paralysis of the lower and upper body. Quadriplegia is caused by disease or injury to the cervical section of the spinal cord (in the neck).

Causes of Paralysis

Paralysis can occur due to diseases such as cerebral palsy, cancer (tumors on the spinal cord), and multiple sclerosis. However, the main cause of paralysis is traumatic spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries can occur due to:

Spinal Cord Injury

There are three types of spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis:

  • Contusion - the result of a direct blow to the spinal cord, causing swelling and excess pressure that damages the spinal column and nerves.
  • Compression - occurs when the spinal cord compresses in a violent manner (as in an auto accident), causing swelling and excess pressure that damages the spinal column and nerves.
  • Direct injury - occurs when bone or metal cuts the spinal cord, leading to damaged nerves.

If you or a loved one suffers from a spinal cord injury, paraplegia, or quadriplegia, you may want to contact a spinal cord injury lawyer for more information.

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