Paraplegia

Paraplegia is a condition of losing the ability to move lower limbs which includes the legs and pelvic organs. Paraplegia can only occur temporarily, or even become permanent depending on the cause. In contrast to paraparesis which can still move both legs even though its strength decreases, paraplegia cannot move both legs.

When examining the effects and symptoms on muscles, paraplegia is divided into:

Paraplegia seizures. The muscles of the body are paralyzed in a stiff and tense state.
Flabby paraplegia. The muscles of the body in the paralyzed part are soft and drooping. The condition of these muscles tends to contract.

Causes of paraplegia

In general, paraplegia is caused by a disturbance in the nervous system circuits that control the muscles of the area. Some things that cause a person to experience paraplegia include:

• Lesions in the spinal cord. The spinal cord functions to send signals from the brain throughout the body. Injury to the spinal cord under the neck can cause paraplegia.
• Multiple Sclerosis This condition can damage the protective nerve membrane of the brain and spinal cord due to the attack of the immune system. Multiple sclerosis can cause paraplegia depending on the protective nerve membrane that is affected.
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system that controls the movements and taste sensations received by the body. In general, weakness of Guillain-Barré syndrome begins on both legs, but can extend upward.
• Spina bifida is a term for congenital abnormalities that affect the development of the spine and nervous system.
• Hereditary spastic paraplegia is a series of disorders caused by genetic disorders that slowly weaken the patient's lower body and make it stiff.
• Tropical spastic paraparesis is the result of a type I lymphotrophic T cell virus infection that attacks the nervous system and causes weakness and stiffness in both legs.
• Spinal cord tumors, which originate in the spinal cord or are spread by other organs, can compress the spinal cord and cause paraplegia.
• Infection, such as bone marrow TB (Pott paraplegia) or polio, can cause paraplegia.
• Post-polio syndrome, paralysis that appears decades after infection with the polio virus.
• Decompression disease, a complication due to diving that causes paralysis due to the formation of gas bubbles that disrupt the nervous system.

Symptoms of paraplegia

Paraplegia can occur suddenly or gradually. Paralysis can also occur, losses can occur depending on the cause. The paralysis occurs not only in both legs, but also in the muscles of the pelvic region, including its organs. Thus, people with paraplegia can also lose control of bowel movements and urination. Sexual activity and fertility can also be disrupted. In addition to paralysis, both feet can become numb or even swollen and sore.

Some causes of paraplegia can cause paralysis that slowly rises to the upper body. Seek medical attention immediately if you have difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis of paraplegia

In the first step of diagnosis, the doctor will ask a few questions about the family's medical history and symptoms of the patient. Then, the doctor will do a physical examination, especially the motor and sensory nerves of the patient.

The doctor can also do a series of imaging tests to get detailed images of the inside of the body. Some types of imaging tests to diagnose paraplegia include:

• X-ray image. Detect tumors or cracks in the spine.
• Scanner. Computed tomography allows a better understanding of the severity of spinal cord injuries.
• MRI of parts of the brain and spine. See abnormalities that can affect the spinal cord.
• Electromyography (EMG). In this test, the sensor will measure electrical activity in the muscles and nerves of the affected person.

Treatment of paraplegia
Treatment for paraplegia depends on the cause. Some types of care that can be given to people with paraplegia are:

• Medicine. Medication is given to reduce pain, treat stiff and contracted muscles. In addition, corticosteroids can reduce inflammation in the spinal cord.
• Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can help patients improve their muscle strength and ability to move.
• Surgery Usually done in patients with spinal cord injuries. Surgery usually involves removing bone fragments, foreign bodies, and bone supports that put pressure on the nerves to cause nerve regeneration.
• Movement aids, such as canes or wheelchairs, can help patients move.

Complications of paraplegia

People with paraplegia will lose control of the lower body, which will cause many complications, including:

• Pressure ulcers, which are sores on the skin that continue to experience depression due to the inability to move this part.
• Blood clots in leg veins (deep vein thrombosis).
• Pneumonia or lung infections.
• Depression.
• Paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

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