The Types of Paralysis

Severe and catastrophic accidents can lead to paralysis by causing injuries and damage to the brain or spinal cord. However, not every form of paralysis is the same. There are different types of paralysis that can impact anyone who suffers from a spinal cord injury and other serious conditions. The type and severity of paralysis will play a major role in any injury victim’s claim.

Defining paralysis

According to Medical News Today, paralysis is “the loss of voluntary muscle function in one or more parts of the body as a result of damage to the nervous system.” The nervous system comprises two parts: the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (all other nerves outside the central nervous system). Damage to these nerves may prevent the signals from sending. Without those signals, there will not be effective communication between the spinal cord, brain, or the rest of the body, resulting in the person becoming paralyzed.

The four most common types of paralysis

It’s possible to divide paralysis cases into four broad categories: monoplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia. Here is information about those types of paralysis and the potential causes of these injuries.

1. Monoplegia: Monoplegia occurs when a person is paralyzed in one area of their body. This most often happens when a person loses the ability to use a limb, such as a leg or arm. Those with monoplegia can typically still move and have feelings in other parts of their bodies; they just cannot move, control, or feel the paralyzed limb. Some causes of monoplegia include traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage, severed or impacted nerves in a specific location, strokes, and tumors.
2. Paraplegia: Paraplegia occurs when an individual is paralyzed from the waist down. In these cases, the person may be unable to feel, control, or move their hips, legs, feet, or toes. However, that does not necessarily mean that the individual cannot walk at all. The severity or extent of the injuries varies, and some people retain more mobility and sensation than others. Spinal cord injuries, spinal cord infections, brain infections, brain tumors, nerve damage near the waist or hips, and strokes all can potentially cause paraplegia.
3. Hemiplegia: An individual may be diagnosed with hemiplegia if they experience paralysis in an arm and a leg on the same side of their body. Most of the time, this type of paralysis starts off as feeling numb and later progresses into weakness and eventually into complete paralysis. However, the level of functioning that a person with hemiplegia has can be different each day depending on their own unique circumstances and situation. Strokes are one potential cause of this condition, while traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, cerebral palsy, and nervous system disorders can also lead to hemiplegia.
4. Quadriplegia: A person may be diagnosed with quadriplegia if they are paralyzed from the neck down. This is the most severe form of paralysis, as it impacts all four limbs and the rest of the body below the neck. Traumatic brain injuries, damaged or compressed spinal cord nerves, spinal cord injuries, permanent nerve damage, spinal infections, brain infections, and strokes can lead to quadriplegia.

What are the symptoms of paralysis?

If you believe that you or a family member may have or are developing paralysis, there are several symptoms you can keep an eye out for, such as:

• Numbness, tingling, pins and needles
• Inability to or difficulties moving a limb or body part
• Muscle weakness or feeling weak
• Loss of feeling
• Muscle cramping in a certain limb or body part
• Muscle stiffness
• Uncontrollable muscle twitches or spasms
• Pain in a specific area or limb

Are there treatments for my paralysis?

There are many types of treatment for people who experience paralysis. However, those medical treatments will rarely be able to fully heal your paralysis. You may not regain movement, control, or feeling in the affected limbs again. If possible, providers should help you regain some type of movement or function in the affected areas. In situations where that is not possible, a qualified medical team can help you find ways to live a comfortable life.

In Huntsville, treatments available for those who experience paralysis may include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, use of mobility devices and equipment, exercise techniques, amputations, and surgeries. It is often necessary for a person to adapt their lifestyle, home, transportation, and more following these injuries.

What are the long-term effects of paralysis?

The loss of movement and sensation can have many long-term impacts on your body. Some related conditions and complications include:

• Bed sores and pressure ulcers
• Changes in organ functioning
• Bladder and bowel issues
• Issues with blood flow, resulting in blood clots
• Changes in heart rate
• Depression, anxiety, isolation, and other mental and emotional conditions
• Sexual dysfunction
• Breathing and lung problems, which can lead to pneumonia
• Muscle contractures
• Changes in bones, joints, and muscles

The wide range of medical conditions that may result from these injuries can add up to extremely high costs for care, rehabilitation, and more.

How much is my paralysis claim worth?

All types of paralysis can be costly. Therefore, even though some forms of paralysis may seem a lot less serious than others, the truth is that every type of paralysis is a catastrophic injury that can lead to expensive medical bills and other losses. However, no matter what type of paralysis you have, knowing that every person’s case and condition is unique is important. This means that even if you and another person both have monoplegia, you both are likely to have different symptoms, long-term effects, medical treatments, and expenses associated with your condition. Because of this, there is no set amount that you should expect to receive for your paralysis claim. Instead, you should consider hiring a Huntsville personal injury attorney to help you evaluate the entirety of your claim and determine its true worth. They will look at the following when calculating your claim’s worth:

• How severe your paralysis is
• How much money you make
• How long you are expected to be out of work
• The types of medical treatment and other services you may need
• How long your recovery is expected to be
• Whether you will ever work again
• Whether you will need ongoing medical treatment for the rest of your life
• Your age and overall health
• Your diminished quality of life
• Whether you are in pain or suffering physically, mentally, or emotionally

If you have recently been involved in an accident that led to one of the four types of paralysis, you should look into any options you have to recover compensation for your losses. The Huntsville personal injury lawyers at Martin & Helms are ready to help you build a strong case against the responsible party. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation in Huntsville or Decatur today. We also serve clients located in Madison and Athens for your convenience.