paraplegia

paraplegia /para·ple·gia/ (-ple´jah) paralysis of the lower part of the body, including the legs.

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par·a·ple·gia (pr-plj, -j-)

n.

Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs, usually caused by damage to the spinal cord.

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para·plegic (-pljk) adj. & n.

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paraplegia

[per′əplē′jē·ə]

Etymology: Gk, para + plege, stroke

paralysis characterized by motor or sensory loss in the lower limbs and trunk. Approximately 11,000 spinal cord injuries reported each year in the United States involve paraplegia. Such injuries commonly result from automobile and motorcycle accidents, sporting accidents, falls, and gunshot wounds. Paraplegia less commonly results from nontraumatic lesions, such as scoliosis, spina bifida, or neoplasms. Compare hemiplegia, tetraplegia. paraplegic, adj., n.

observations The signs and symptoms of paraplegia may develop immediately from trauma and include the loss of sensation, motion, and reflexes below the level of the lesion. Depending on the level of the lesion and whether damage to the spinal cord is complete or incomplete, the patient may lose bladder and bowel control, and sexual dysfunctions may develop. An incomplete spinal cord injury does not usually inhibit circumanal sensation, voluntary toe flexion, or sphincter control. A complete spinal cord injury destroys sensation and voluntary muscle control and usually causes the permanent loss of muscle function distal to the injury.

interventions The treatment of paraplegia seeks to restore proper spine alignment, stabilize the injured spinal area, decompress any involved neurologic structures, and rehabilitate the patient as quickly as possible. At the accident scene when spinal cord injury is suspected, the patient must not be moved until strapped and stabilized on a board. Such stabilization helps to prevent permanent damage to any injured spinal structures. Drugs such as baclofen may be administered to relieve any muscle spasms associated with dysfunction of the upper motor neurons.

nursing considerations When the paraplegic patient progresses from bed rest to use of a wheelchair, the nurse is alert to any signs of orthostatic hypotension. Special binders and antiembolism hose are used to help the patient adjust to the transition from bed to wheelchair. Prevention of pressure sores is an important priority. Other treatment may include a high-bulk diet and the administration of suppositories to prevent constipation.

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paraplegia (parˈ··plēˑ·j),

n paralysis distinguished by functional loss in the lower limbs and trunk typically due to vehicular or sporting accidents, gunshot wounds, and falls. Nontraumatic causes like spina bifida, neoplasms, or scoliosis can also cause paraplegia.

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paraplegia (par´plē´jē),

n a paralysis characterized by motor or sensory loss in the lower limbs and trunk. Such events occur as a result of automobile and motorcycle accidents, sporting accidents, falls, and gunshot wounds.

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paraplegia

paralysis of the hindlimb and, in some cases, the posterior part of the body caudal to the last cervical vertebrae. The paralysis may be acute in onset as in fracture of a lumbar vertebra, or gradual; it may be spastic or flaccid.

Paraplegia is a form of central nervous system paralysis, in which the paralysis affects all the muscles of the parts involved. In the majority of cases, paraplegia results from disease or injury of the spinal cord that causes interference with nerve paths connecting the brain and the muscles.

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inherited congenital paraplegia

is observed in cattle and pigs. The paralysis may be flaccid or spastic and there may or may not be degenerative lesions in the spinal cord.

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paraplegia

Neurology Complete paralysis, paresthesias, loss of sensation and control of voluntary movement in legs, post spinal cord injury or disease