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Paralysis, Paraplegia, and Quadriplegia

Related Terms

Compression Paralysis
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Hysterical Paralysis
Spinal Cord Injury
Tetraplegia
Tumor of Spinal Cord

Differential Diagnoses

Acute infection (paralysis)
Anemia (paralysis)
Brain abscess (paraplegia, hemiparesis, quadriplegia)
Bursitis (paralysis due to pain)
Cervical spondylosis (paraplegia, quadriplegia)
Degenerative disease of the spinal column (paraplegia, quadriplegia)
Fatigue (paralysis)
Gait disorder (cerebellar or central nervous system disorder; psychological factors)
Guillain-Barré (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Malignant tumor (paralysis, paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Motor system disease (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Multiple cerebral accidents (quadriplegia)
Paralytic poliomyelitis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Peripheral neuropathy (paralysis)
Protruded cervical disc (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Syphilitic meningomyelitis (paraplegia)
Syringomyelia (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Systemic illnesses (paralysis)
Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency (paraplegia or quadriplegia)

Specialists

Infectious Disease Internist
Neurologist
Neurosurgeon
Oncologist
Orthopedic (Orthopaedic) Surgeon
Physiatrist

Comorbid Conditions

Diabetes (paraplegia)
Diabetes (quadriplegia)
Diabetic neuropathy (paralysis)
Diabetic neuropathy (quadriplegia)
Multiple sclerosis (paralysis)
Multiple sclerosis (paraplegia)
Multiple sclerosis (quadriplegia)
Obesity (paralysis)
Obesity (paraplegia)
Obesity (quadriplegia)

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Paralysis

Length of disability will be determined by the underlying diagnosis, whether the paralysis is temporary or permanent, the extent of paralysis (monoplegia, hemiplegia, paraplegia, quadriplegia), and the body parts affected.

Paraplegia

Length of disability will be determined by the cause (acute spinal cord injury, spinal cord lesions, other underlying disease, genetic cause), whether function is restored following spinal decompression and stabilization, and if any underlying illness preceded the condition (infection, tumor, rheumatoid arthritis, myelitis, spondylosis, multiple sclerosis).

Quadriplegia

Length of disability will be determined by the cause (acute spinal cord injury, cervical lesion), whether there is restoration of function following spinal decompression and stabilization, and if any underlying illness preceded the condition (infection, tumor).

Medical Codes

	ICD-9-CM:
	344 -	Paralytic Syndromes, Other;
	344.0 -	Quadriplegia and Quadriparesis
	344.00 -	Quadriplegia, Unspecified
	344.01 -	Quadriplegia C1-C4, Complete
	344.02 -	Quadriplegia C1-C4, Incomplete
	344.03 -	Quadriplegia C5-C7, Complete
	344.04 -	Quadriplegia C5-C7, Incomplete
	344.09 -	Quadriplegia and Quadriparesis, Other
	344.1 -	Paraplegia
	344.2 -	Diplegia of Upper Limbs; Diplegia (Upper); Paralysis of Both Upper Limbs
	344.3 -	Monoplegia of Lower Limb; Paralysis of Lower Limb
	344.30 -	Monoplegia of Lower Limb, Affecting Unspecified Side
	344.31 -	Monoplegia of Lower Limb, Affecting Dominant Side
	344.32 -	Monoplegia of Lower Limb, Affecting Nondominant Side
	344.4 -	Monoplegia of Upper Limb; Paralysis of Upper Limb
	344.40 -	Monoplegia of Upper Limb, Affecting Unspecified Side
	344.41 -	Monoplegia of Upper Limb, Affecting Dominant Side
	344.42 -	Monoplegia of Upper Limb, Affecting Nondominant Side
	344.5 -	Monoplegia of Upper Limb, Unspecified Monoplegia
	344.8 -	Paralytic Syndromes, Other Specified
	344.9 -	Paralysis, Paraplegia, and Quadriplegia

Complications

Paralysis

Joints may become locked in both temporary and permanent paralysis. Complications from permanent paralysis caused by prolonged immobility include limb deformities, pressure sores (decubitus ulcers), blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), fluctuating blood pressure and body temperature, osteoporosis, respiratory and urinary tract infections, and constipation. Psychological stress due to loss of body functions most often results in depression.

Paraplegia

Complications include urinary and fecal incontinence that sometimes requires ostomy, respiratory infections (pneumonia, atelectasis), coronary heart disease, autonomic dysreflexia, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, kidney and liver insufficiency, gallstones, constipation, pressure sores (decubitus ulcers), and osteoporosis. Chronic severe pain and spasm may also complicate paraplegia. Extreme physical inactivity may cause elevation in blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), resulting in an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Psychological stress from loss of body functions most often causes depression.

Quadriplegia

Complications include urinary and fecal incontinence that sometimes requires ostomy, respiratory infections (pneumonia, atelectasis), coronary heart disease, autonomic dysreflexia, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, kidney and liver insufficiency, gallstones, constipation, pressure sores (decubitus ulcers), and osteoporosis. Chronic severe pain and spasm may also complicate quadriplegia. Extreme physical inactivity may cause elevation in blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), resulting in an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Psychological stress from loss of body functions most often causes depression.

Source: Medical Disability Advisor

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