Paraplegia caused by transverse lesions above cervical enlargement is called high paraplegia. And paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury below the third thoracic vertebra is paraplegia of both lower limbs.
In the acute stage of spinal cord injury, the loss of sensation, movement, and reflex of both limbs below the injury level, as well as the loss of function of bladder and anal sphincter are spinal shock. Modern western medicine has no ideal treatment for this disease except surgical treatment in the acute stage of spinal cord injury.
Common Causes and Symptoms of Paraplegia
In recent years, spinal cord injury has been rapidly growing. The reasons are that firstly, due to the high development of the construction industry, there are more work-related accidents; secondly, a large number of new drivers are on the road, and traffic accidents are increasing; thirdly, difficult competitive sports also increase the incidence of spinal cord injuries. Other causes include infection, tumors, degenerative diseases and so on.
Spinal cord injury can lead to complete or incomplete loss of movement and sensation below the injury level. At the same time, there are many complications which seriously affect patients’ self-care and social activities.
Common Complications of Paraplegia
1. Pressure ulcer: It usually occurs on bony protrusions, such as lumbosacral area and heel. Sepsis caused by pressure ulcer infection is one of the main causes of death.
2. Respiratory tract infection: It is easy to cause upper respiratory tract infection thus resulting in pneumonia, etc.
3. Urinary system: Urinary tract infection and urinary calculi, etc.
4. Cardiovascular system: Postural hypotension and venous thrombosis.
5. Skeletal system: Osteoporosis.
Purpose of Paraplegia Rehabilitation
1. Prevention of possible complications.
2. Prevent joint stiffness and ligament contracture.
3. Take targeted muscle stretching to ensure the completion of self-care activities.
4. Conduct self-care ability training.
5. Use alternative methods to help patients walking ability restoration.
Early (bedridden period) rehabilitation
(1) Maintain normal posture to prevent pressure ulcers. Decompression bed or air cushion can be used, turn patients over and pat their backs every 2 hours.
(2) Strengthen respiratory training to prevent pulmonary infection. Chest tapping and postural drainage can be used.
(3) Joint protection and training to prevent contracture and maintain residual muscle strength.
(4) Bladder and rectum training. When indwelling the catheter, pay attention to clamping and placing regularly to ensure that the bladder has 300-400 ml of urine to facilitate the recovery of autonomic contraction function.
(5) Psychotherapy. Extreme depression, depression, and irritability. Patience and meticulousness must with encouraging responses.
Rehabilitation Treatment in Recovery Period
(1) Upright standing adaptation training: it takes about one week, and the duration is related to the injury level.
(2) Muscle strength and joint stretching training. Functional electrical stimulation can be used for muscle strength training. Stretching joints and muscles is a must during rehabilitation.
(3) Sitting and balance training: Correct independent sitting is the premise of transfer, wheelchair, and walking training.
(4) Transfer training: From bed to wheelchair.
(5) Gait training and wheelchair training.
Post time: Oct-26-2020