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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

Treatment

Paralysis

Treatment depends upon the type, location, and extent of the paralysis. The primary consideration in treatment of spinal cord injury (trauma) is to decompress and stabilize the spine. Surgery can relieve pressure if present. If there is a blockage in the spinal canal due to a tumor, chemotherapy and radiation may be indicated. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Steroids are also indicated to help decrease the likelihood of permanent neurologic damage. In cases of temporary paralysis, physical therapy is used to retrain and strengthen muscles and joints so that some degree of mobility is possible after recovery. If there is complete loss of function, supportive measures such as physical therapy to prevent joints from becoming locked and contracted and avoidance of complications from prolonged immobility (pressure ulcers, blood clots, urinary tract infections, constipation) should be instituted.

Paraplegia

Treatment depends on the cause of the paraplegia. If it is due to spinal cord injury, then decompression and stabilization of the spine are of primary importance. Surgery can relieve pressure if present. Less common causes, such as arterial thrombosis, may require administration of thrombolytic agents. Infections should be treated with appropriate antibiotics. In the case of transverse myelitis, antibacterial and antiviral agents, along with steroids, may be indicated. Surgery to relieve pressure from a mass lesion may be indicated.

Quadriplegia

Treatment depends on the cause of the quadriplegia. If it is due to spinal cord injury, then immobilization of the spine is of primary importance. Surgery can relieve pressure if present. Less common causes, such as arterial thrombosis, may require administration of thrombolytic agents. Infections should be treated with appropriate antibiotics. If a tumor is causing spinal cord compression, surgery may relieve the pressure. Recovery from spinal cord transection is not a possibility at this time.

Source: Medical Disability Advisor

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