Paralysis is the most severe type of spinal cord injury. It refers to the loss of feeling or the ability to experience sensation and motor function below the point of injury. The higher up on the spine the injury occurs, the more severe a victim’s paralysis will be. Sadly, there is no known way to cure paralysis, although some victims can improve their conditions with rehabilitation and physical therapy.
There are three main types of paralysis:
Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia): paralysis of all four limbs.
Paraplegia: paralysis in the lower half of the body.
Triplegia: paralysis in one arm and both legs.
If a victim suffers an injury to the upper portion of the spine (the cervical spine) he or she could suffer paralysis from the neck down. An injury to the thoracic or lumbar spine, on the other hand, may paralyze the body from the middle or lower back down. In addition to compromising feeling and function below the point of injury, paralysis can also impact a victim’s sexual function, bowel and bladder control, and respiration.