Quadriplegia, also commonly known as tetraplegia, is a medical condition caused by illness or injury to the brain or spinal cord that results in total or partial loss of movement in all limbs. Both the motor and sensory neurons are affected by this causing a loss of both sensation and control in lower extremities, upper extremities and almost the entire torso. This results in becoming paralyzed.
Paralysis extent depends upon severity and location of injury to the spine. The higher the region, often the more severe. Injuries close to the neck can result in complete paralysis whereas injuries lower down the spinal cord can lead to only the lower body being paralyzed. Quadriplegia is caused by high impact trauma or injury to the spinal cord
warm) in the left upper and lower extremities; decreased strength and movement of the right upper and lower extremities and of the left abdominal muscles; lack of triceps and biceps reflexes in the right upper extremity; atypical response of patellar, Achilles (hyper) reflexes in the right lower extremity; abnormal cremasteric reflex in the right groin; fracture in cervical vertebrae #7; and significant swelling in the C7-T12 region of the spinal canal (Signs and symptoms, n.d.). The objective complaint of a severe headache could also be consistent with a spinal cord injury (Headache, nausea, and vomiting,
The name of each condition describes the location and severity of the paralyzed muscles. The first type is Spinal paralytic polio. This is the most common type of the three, it is caused by an infection in the spinal cord. It leaves its victims crippled, producing paralysis in the arms and/or legs. The legs are usually affected more than arms. The second type is Respiratory polio. The polio virus attacks the respiratory or chest muscles, making it difficult or impossible for the patient to breathe without help from a breathing machine. This condition is very dangerous, and may result in death in as much as fifty percent of its victims. The a third type is Bulbar polio. The polio virus attacks the nerve cells that are found just above the spinal cord in the region called the “bulb” or brain stem. These nerve cells control the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box) muscles. When these areas are affected, the patient may have serious problems breathing, swallowing, and speaking. This is the most dangerous form of polio. Secretions collect in the throat and may block the airway (trachea), which may cause the patient to suffocate (Polio
Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It is a birth defect in which a developing baby's spinal cord fails to develop properly. The term Spina bifida comes from Latin and means "split" or "open" spine. This disorder occurs when the fetus is growing in the womb and its spine doesn’t form correctly. Some of the vertebrae don’t close to make their normal ring shapes around the spinal cord. This defect happens at the end of the first month of pregnancy, when a baby's spine and spinal cord are developing. Causes of Spina Bifida Causes that cause this disorder are low levels of the vitamin folic acid during pregnancy. Not having enough folic acid in the diet before and during early pregnancy can increase a woman's risk of Spina bifida and possibility of other neural tube defects. A high fever during pregnancy may increase a woman's chance of having a baby with Spina bifida. Some evidence suggests that genes may be a cause of Spina Bifida, but most babies born with Spina bifida have no family history of the condition. Also, women with epilepsy
Scientists are on the brink of doing the unthinkable-replenishing the brains of people who have suffered strokes or head injuries to make them whole again. If that is not astonishing enough, they think they may be able to reverse paralysis. The door is at last open to lifting the terrifying sentence these disorders still decree-loss of physical function, cognitive skills, memory, and personality.
The effects include paralysis of a limb or one side of the body and disturbances of speech and vision. The nature and extent of damage depends on the size and location of the affected blood vessels. The main causes are cerebral infarction (approx. 85%) and spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (15%) (Waugh & Grant, 2010).
... damaged neurons. (Mayo clinic, 2014). This is called neuroplasticity, the ability for the nerves to compensate for damage caused by some outside force. Because of neuroplasticity physical training works to cure some of the paralysis left by the virus and allows us to walk again after the legs or another appendage is deformed or damaged.
The most common types of topographical types are diplegia, hemiplegia, double hemiplegia, and quadriplegia. The basal ganglia are part of the extrapyramidal system and work in conjunction with the motor cortex in providing movement and serve as the relay center. Damage to this area results in Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, the second most common form of cerebral palsy. Involuntary, purposeless movements, particularly in the arms, hands, and facial muscles, characterize athetosis. In addition, the individual can become “stuck” in abnormal positions or postures and require specific positioning to maintain normal tone and movement.
Deformities and problems caused by injury or accidents and others like Neurosurgery that involves the brain, nerves, spinal cord,
The spinal cord is a major channel in the body where motor and sensory information travels from the brain to the body. It has white matter that surrounds a central gray matter. The gray matter is where most of the neuronal cells are located. Injury to the spinal cord will affect the conduction of information across any part of the spinal cord where the damage is located (Maynard et al., 1997). This will often result in permanent disability of a certain muscle or region of the body (Meletis et al., 2008) and a loss of tissue where the damage is located (Peng et al., 2009). As of now, there is no treatment for spinal cord injury expect for steroids. All steroids can do is provide protect of the spinal cord from secondary injury for specific patients (Peng et al., 2009).
My objective in the long term is to provide therapeutic and counseling services that assist persons suffering with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or acquired brain injury (ABI) in coping and recovering from the mental illnesses that often accompany such tragedies. TBI/ABI has shown a proven link with “anxiety, depression, personality changes, aggression (National Alliance on Mental Illness Veterans Resource Center May 8, 2009 Traumatic Brain Injury)”, as well as many other issues. As the caregiver for a survivor of a rare and deadly strain of encephalitis, I have a personal perspective that I feel brings much to the discussion. I see the information I am currently gathering at Empire State College as the building blocks that pave the way to a thrilling career in a growing segment of the mental health industry. The CDC claims that approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer TBIs annually (Centers for Disease Control Injury Center May 30, 2007 Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths) and it has been called the “signature injury” of the current wars in Iraq & Afghanistan by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. As such, it is my belief that we need to focus time and energy on developing new programs to help these patients to cope with the new limitations and encourage rehabilitation and restoration.
The movie, My Left Foot, by Daniel Day Lewis is a true story about a man named Christy Brown. Christy Brown was an Irishman who was born with cerebral palsy, only being able to use his left foot; the only part of his body he was able to control. Christy was born into a poor family, at times, not having enough coal to heat the house. The young children, within his neighborhood, allowed him to take part in various activities; such as street soccer. However, many of the adults portrayed him as a lesser individual. Dr. Eileen Cole comes to Christy’s aid, assisting him within various aspects; such as, his disability and recognizing his talents. The movie portrays various hardships that arose for Christy and his family, but the way they were dealt with were the most inspiring. Throughout Christy’s lifetime, he finds a love for painting, in which he ends up becoming an extraordinary writer and a painter. Through this heart-warming film, the audience was capable of seeing the different side
Spina bifida is a defect of the spine where part of the spinal cord and its meninges are exposed
People don’t know what is like for a family to deal with a relative who has Spina Bifida. Sandler (1997) gave insight on how the family of the affectee should handle this condition and the mutual support that should be offered. The discovery through the years show that family is not only critical but also a key factor in the wellness of the child. In addition to the importance of incorporating the three R’s – Roles, Relationship, and Responsibility into the household system. Later sharing the struggles and stress of being a parent with a disabled child with Spina Bifida. Having to cope with other external resources to try and alleviate the heightened stress such as but not limited to community, family and spiritual sections. Showing how culture
Uner Tan Syndrome is a rare disease where people walk on all fours. They walk with quadrupedal locomotion, commonly referred to as wrist walking. “ It is a condition that in its most extreme form is characterized by cerebellar hypoplasia.” (Shapiro LJ 2014, p.1). Humans with Uner Tan Syndrome show lack of cognitive ability, mental retardation, loss of balance, primitive speech and a quadrupedal gait (walking on four feet).
A childhood friend and former dance student, Isabella, was in her first year on a division one-dance team at a university in upstate New York. Her dream was to have the honor of dancing with an international dance troop traveling the world. After one fatal decision and barley making it out alive of a preventable car accident she was forced to give up her dream and never function normal again. Isabella had broken four different bones in her right arm, three upper ribs, her lower back, and her right collarbone. She also suffered from a lacerated liver, a bruised heart, and a duel brain injury. The median nerve, which makes your thumb move, was found in her right temple. And before being pulled from her car, Isabella suffered a massive stroke.