Quadriplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is the loss of movement of the arms, trunk and legs, usually caused by injuries that reach the spinal cord in the cervical spine, due to situations such as trauma during accidents, brain hemorrhage, severe spinal deformities.or neurological diseases.
Loss of movement can have different intensities, ranging from weakness to total loss of the ability to move the limb.Depending on the level of the injury, breathing capacity may also be compromised and the use of respiratory aids may be indicated.
In addition, quadriplegia may be accompanied by other complications, such as:
Tetraplegia is different from paraplegia, because in paraplegia, there is an injury to the spinal cord below the chest region, which affects the trunk and lower extremities, preserving the strength of the arm.Learn more about paraplegia.
To treat changes, which can be recovered in some cases, and readapetal to everyday activities, tetraplegic should be accompanied not only by the neurologist, but also by a team composed of physiotherapist and occupational therapist, in addition, psychological support is also indicated., as loss of physical abilities can also make the person more vulnerable to changes in self-esteem and depression.
Quadriplegia is usually the result of spinal cord injury in the cervical region, which affects nervous system communication with the arms and legs.The main causes are:
To detect quadriplegia, the neurologist should perform a detailed neurological examination, in which he will evaluate muscle strength, region sensitivity, and reflexes, which can observe gravity, request tests, and determine the best treatments.
A tetraplegic person can partially heal or recover movements, however, it depends on the cause and severity of the injury.
Initial treatment is guided by the cause. Spinal injuries should be treated by a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon experienced in this situation, with immobilization, traction of the area and surgery.Neurological diseases, such as stroke and ELA, are treated with the advice of the neurologist, with drugs specific to each disease.
With quadriplegia installed, the treatment aims to rehabilitate the patient, with physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical activities and psychological follow-up.Orthosis may also be indicated to correct posture or stabilize areas of the body.
In addition, the tetraplegic will need to tailor its daily activities to maintain as much independence as possible, including the use of specific wheelchairs, support devices, power animators or software to control computer usage.
A caregiver may be needed to help with activities such as hygiene and bathing.Read guidelines on how to care for a person besuming in bed.