Paralysis of 2 lower limbs and quadriplegia: What you need to know

There are many different types of paralysis, but the most common are paralysis of the lower limbs and quadriplegia. Have you been able to distinguish between the two and what causes each form of paralysis? The following article will provide information you need to know about the two types listed above.

Paralysis of the lower limbs and quadriplegia are two different forms of paralysis, which can cause partial or complete loss of movement in one or more parts of the body. These two types are distinguished by the following factors:
Paralysis of the lower extremities: partial or complete paralysis of both legs, even some people have partial paralysis below the abdomen. Quadriplegia: the patient loses movement and sensation in all extremities (2 arms, 2 legs). This is a more severe form of paralysis and affects all organs in the body. Other types of paralysis include: paralysis of one limb (affecting only one hand), hemiplegia (affecting one arm and one leg on the same side).

There are many causes of limb paralysis, including spinal cord injury, neuromuscular diseases, and stroke. Depending on the underlying cause and the extent of the injury, paralysis is divided into many different types mentioned above. The forms of paralysis can be partial or complete, of a temporary or permanent course. Particularly paralysis of the two lower limbs and quadriplegia are caused by damage to the brain and spinal cord.
2.1. Spinal cord injury The spinal cord is a tubular structure containing many nerve bundles that transmit nerve signals from the brain to other parts of the body, and vice versa. The bones in the spine and vertebrae are responsible for protecting the spinal cord from physical injury. However, when encountering strong collision situations, trauma, accidents can also accidentally break or dislocate the vertebrae, thereby leading to spinal cord injury.
The effects of spinal cord injury are variable, depending on the location of the injury. For example:
Injury to the back or coccyx of the lower back can cause paralysis of 2 lower limbs and part of the lower abdomen. Injury to the thoracic cord can cause weakness and paralysis in the legs, abdomen, and chest. Injury to the spinal cord in the neck can cause paralysis of the entire body from the neck down. If an illness, such as a spinal stroke, infection, rheumatism, or a herniated disc, causes a non-traumatic spinal cord injury.
MORE: Types of paralysis due to spinal cord injury

2.2. Stroke According to many neurologists, stroke is both the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of paralysis. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel is blocked, narrowed, or ruptured, disrupting blood supply to the brain and, less commonly, the spinal cord. When there is lack of oxygen-rich blood, brain cells gradually die and lead to paralysis. A stroke often causes paralysis on one side of the body. However, damage to the brain in the lower regions, where it connects to the spinal cord, can lead to muscle weakness or paralysis on both sides. Some other symptoms of a stroke may include:
Severe and sudden headache. Dizziness and loss of balance. Vision problem. Difficulty walking. Talking is difficult. Confusion. 2.3. Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects the outer cortex of the brain that controls muscle movements. Unfortunately, in most cases, cerebral palsy is present at birth. However, some children can develop cerebral palsy after a head injury or an infection that causes inflammation in the brain. Depending on the site of the effect and extent, cerebral palsy can cause:
Coordination muscle movement disorders. Loss of involuntary movement (tremors, convulsions). Muscle stiffness. Focal nerve damage causes paralysis. Paralysis of the lower extremities or quadriplegia. 2.4. Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition in which the myelin sheaths that protect the nerves in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve become inflamed. This disease causes a variety of symptoms from mild numbness to marked loss of muscle strength and altered gait. Other symptoms include:
Leg muscle twitching. Sensation of pins and needles in the face, trunk, or extremities. Electric shock sensation from the nape of the neck to the arms or legs (also known as Lhermitte's sign) Chronic pain. Loss of coordination, feeling dizzy. In severe cases, sclerosis can cause partial or total paralysis, but total paralysis accounts for only about one-third of sclerosis cases.

2.5. Other causes Other causes that can lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia include:
Having a tumor or blood clot in the spinal cord. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the top of the spine. Myelitis caused by polio, HIV, syphilis or West Nile fever. Genetic disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as motor neuron disease or Lou Gehrig's disease). Vinmec International General Hospital is a hospital with the function of examination, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of many diseases, including neurological diseases, brain diseases, paralysis, etc. At Vinmec, there are full medical equipments. necessary to carry out simple to complex treatment methods such as medical treatment, intervention, prevention, rehabilitation after stroke,...
With a team of highly qualified medical professionals , has undergone technical training and certification, can handle quickly and effectively, especially in cases of urgent need. Therefore, patients with paralysis of 2 limbs or quadriplegia or other causes can rest assured with the strict, methodical and effective treatment process at Vinmec.