Spinal injury location 'dictates level of paralysis'RSS Feed

It is critical which area of the spine has been affected by a severe spinal cord injury because it can determine the degree of paralysis experienced by the patient, it is reported.

Paraplegia is the name given to paralysis inflicted by a severe trauma to the central nervous system and it occurs as a result of damage to the level of the thoracic or lumbar vertebrae of the spinal cord or lower, explains Jody Smith on EmpowHer.com.

For paraplegics, the legs and feet are affected and the torso may be affected, but the arms are not.

Although paraplegia is more often than not the result of an accident, it can also occur in the aftermath to tumours or other disease, Ms Smith continued.

"Injuries that are lower on the spinal cord, from … the sixth to the twelfth thoracic vertebra … can allow for some muscle strength in the abdomen and walking may be possible with crutches or with leg braces and a walker," she added.

According to BrainandSpinalCord.org, the level of injury, type of injury and whether the injury was complete or incomplete all affect the degree of function that a person with paraplegia will experience.

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