161
en
1
Paraplegia y sus causas

Paraplegia

Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower body, which affects both legs. Paralysis that affects the arms and legs is a tetraplegia.

The spinal cord is the main means of communication between the brain and the rest of the body. A cylindrical rib structure extends from the brain stem and ends at the first lumbar vertebrae.

The bone is protected by the vertebrae of the spine. Trauma to the spinal cord is usually caused by a blow that fractures or a dislocated vertebra. In a complete spinal cord injury, the spinal cord cannot transmit messages below the level of injury. As a result, the patient is paralyzed below that point.

If the spinal cord is injured, it does not regenerate. This means that if there is an injury to the nerve (axons) or within the bone marrow the spinal cord suffers and cannot heal or reconnect. Therefore, lesions in the spinal cord usually result in permanent paralysis.

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

  • Traffic accidents (wearing a seat belt greatly reduces the risk of serious injury in a car accident).
  • Violence.
  • Falls and not using protective equipment at work or at play.
  • Injuries related to high-risk physical activities and diving into shallow water.

If you are present when an accident occurs, immobilise the injured person’s spine. Do not try to realign simply prevents the injured person moves. Keep the person absolutely still and safe until medical help arrives.

More information in:

Spinal Cord Injury: Quadriplegic and Paraplegic Injuries
http://www.apparelyzed.com/

United Spinal Association
http://www.unitedspinal.org/

Creation date: 17/09/2015 - Last modification date: 09/10/2015

require: 4.1007995605469E-5
session start: 0
configuring: 0.0047140121459961
configuring meta: 0.0018119812011719
configuring content: 0.0013549327850342
configuring image: 0.00054001808166504
seo description: 3.0040740966797E-5
pre facebook: 3.814697265625E-6
post facebook: 1.8119812011719E-5
header: 2.5033950805664E-5
left menu: 0.11046195030212
breadcrumb: 0.00078296661376953
content: 0.00078105926513672
title: 0.00080394744873047
pre footer: 0.00036406517028809
post footer: 1.8835067749023E-5
pre scripts: 0
post scripts: 0
scripts: 1.1920928955078E-6
linkedIn