When someone is injured in a Louisiana car accident, a major concern is whether any of the injuries are permanent. Spinal cord injuries can be some of the most severe and have the most long-lasting consequences. Partial paralysis or complete paralysis can occur as a result of these injuries.
Those who suffer from paralysis of the arms and legs are considered quadriplegic. While the primary cause of quadriplegia, also referred to as tetraplegia, is spinal cord injury, diseases such as muscular dystrophy can also cause it.
The spinal cord refers to the nerve system within the spine. The severity of a person’s impairment will depend on the severity of the damage to the spinal cord, as it is an integral part of the central nervous system. A person with complete quadriplegia will likely suffer sensory loss as well as a loss of function from the neck down. In some cases, a person with quadriplegia will be able to move their arms but will not be able to control these movements. They may be able to regain some of the function in their hands with treatment. However, those who suffer from quadriplegia may also face various complications including pressure sores, respiratory infections, fractures and other ailments.
Repairing the spinal cord nerve damage that has already occurred is next to impossible. Rehabilitation and therapy is essential to allow people to learn how to live with their new bodies. Although there are new treatments in the works, there is no denying that life can be difficult if you suffer from a spinal cord injury.
Source: Apparelyzed, “Quadriplegia and Quadriplegic,” accessed on Dec. 29, 2015
