The key difference between paraplegia and tetraplegia is that paraplegia causes paralysis due to damage to the thoracic (T1-T2), lumbar (L1-L5), or sacral (S1-S5) regions of the spinal cord, while tetraplegia causes paralysis due to damages to the cervical (CI-C8) region of the spinal cord.
Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move whole or parts of the body. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent. There are four main types of paralysis; monoplegia, hemiplegia, paraplegia, and quadriplegia (tetraplegia).
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Paraplegia
3. What is Tetraplegia
4. Similarities – Paraplegia and Tetraplegia
5. Paraplegia vs Tetraplegia in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Paraplegia vs Tetraplegia
What is Paraplegia?
Paraplegia is a specific type of paralysis. It results in paralysis due to damage to the thoracic (T1-T2), lumbar (L1-L5), or sacral (S1-S5) regions of the spinal cord. The triggers of paraplegia include motor vehicle crashes, penetrating injuries, falls, spinal tumors, infections that compress the spinal cord, ischemia, diabetes-related nerve damage, congenital conditions (myelomeningocele or spina bifida), cerebral palsy, autoimmune or inflammatory conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis or transverse myelitis, and genetic conditions such as hereditary spastic paraplegia. The symptoms of paraplegia may include loss of ability to feel and move, no control over bowel or bladder activities, intense pain or tingling in the trunk, legs, and pelvic area, problems in breathing and coughing, and problems in sexual activity or fertility.
Figure 01: Types of Paralysis
Moreover, paraplegia can be diagnosed through physical examination, CT scan, and MRI. Furthermore, paraplegia is treated through physical therapy, occupational therapy, mobility devices like wheelchairs and power scooters, prescription medication such as muscle relaxers and pain relievers (ibuprofen and acetaminophen), blood thinners, and surgery.
What is Tetraplegia?
Tetraplegia is also called quadriplegia. It results in paralysis in the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic region due to spinal cord injury. Tetraplegia is caused due to damages to the cervical (CI-C8) region of the spinal cord. The triggers of tetraplegia include motor vehicle crashes, falls, violence-related injuries, sports-related injuries, spinal tumors, cysts or fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord, infections that compress the spinal cord, ischemia, congenital conditions like myelomeningocele or spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and autoimmune or inflammatory conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis or transverse myelitis. The symptoms of tetraplegia may include numbness in the arms and legs, paralysis of the arms and legs, urinary retention and bowel dysfunction, difficulty breathing, and trouble sitting upright.
Moreover, tetraplegia can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRI scans, spinal taps (lumbar punctures), blood tests, and electromyography (EMG) tests. Furthermore, treatment options for tetraplegia may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech or language therapy, medications to relax muscle spasms, medical devices (wheelchair, walker, positioning devices, braces, etc.), and surgeries (dorsal rhizotomy, intrathecal baclofen therapy, and tendon transfer surgery).
What are the Similarities Between Paraplegia and Tetraplegia?
- Paraplegia and tetraplegia are two different types of paralysis.
- Both types result in numbness and paralysis in certain parts of the body.
- They can cause lifelong complications.
- Both types can be diagnosed through physical examinations and imaging tests like MRI.
- They are mainly treated through physical therapy, occupational therapy, and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Paraplegia and Tetraplegia?
Paraplegia results in paralysis due to damage to the thoracic (T1-T2), lumbar (L1-L5), or sacral (S1-S5) regions of the spinal cord, while tetraplegia results in paralysis due to damages to the cervical (CI-C8) region of the spinal cord. Thus, this is the key difference between paraplegia and tetraplegia. Furthermore, paraplegia affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic region. On the other hand, tetraplegia affects the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic region.
The infographic below presents the differences between paraplegia and tetraplegia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Paraplegia vs. Tetraplegia
Paralysis makes people unable to make voluntary movements. It happens due to disrupted nerve signals to muscles. Therefore, nervous system problems such as spinal injuries mainly cause paralysis. Paraplegia and tetraplegia are two different types of paralysis. Paraplegia affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic region of the body, while tetraplegia affects the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic region of the body. So, this summarizes the difference between paraplegia and tetraplegia.
Reference:
1. “Paraplegia: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “What Is Tetraplegia? Definition, Causes, and Treatment.” Medical News Today.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Neurological Levels & Types of Paralysis” By Servier Medical Art – “Dermatomes 2” by Servier Medical Art (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Upper limb surgery in tetraplegia” By E.M.Steen – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
