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{{SK}} Tetraplegia
{{SK}} Tetraplegia
==Overview==
==[[Quadriplegia overview|Overview]]==
'''Quadriplegia''' is a [[symptom]] in which a human experiences [[paralysis]] affecting all four limbs, although not necessarily total paralysis or loss of function.


==Causes==
==[[Quadriplegia historical perspective|Historical Perspective]]==
It is caused by damage to the [[brain]] or to the [[spinal cord]] at a high level - in particular  spinal cord injuries secondary to an injury to the [[cervical spine]]. The injury causes victims to lose partial or total mobility of all four limbs, meaning the arms and the legs.<ref>{{Citation
  | last=Parks
  | first=Jennifer
  | author-link=Jennifer Parks
  | title=Enjoying the ride
  | newspaper=[[Ottawa 24 hours]]
  | volume=1
  | issue=155
  | pages=11
  | year=2007
  | date=Thursday June 28 2007
  | url=http://24hrs.ca}}</ref> Severity depends on which cervical vertebra is injured and the extent of the injury.  An individual with an injury to C1 (the highest cervical vertebra) will likely be paralyzed and lose function from the neck down and be [[ventilator]] dependent.  An individual with a C7 injury will likely  be paralyzed and lose function from the chest down but still retain use of the arms and much of their hands.  The extent of the injury is also important.  A complete severing of the spine will result in complete loss of function from that vertebra down.  A partial severing of the spinal cord results in varying degrees of mixed function and paralysis.  For example, there are quadriplegics who have impairment in all four limbs but can still walk and use their hands due to the relatively minor extent of their injury.


==Terminology==
==[[Quadriplegia classification|Classification]]==
The condition is also termed tetraplegia. Both terms mean "paralysis of four limbs"; however, tetraplegia is becoming the more commonly accepted term for this condition.


"Tetra", like "plegia", has a Greek root, whereas "quadra" has a Latin root.
==[[Quadriplegia pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==


==Incidence/prevalence==
==[[Quadriplegia causes|Causes]]==
There are about 5000 cervical spinal cord injuries per year in the United States and about 1000 per year in the UK. In 1988, it was estimated that lifetime care of a 27-year-old rendered tetraparetic was about US $1 million and that the total national costs were US $5.6 billion per year.


==Treatment/prognosis==
==[[Quadriplegia differential diagnosis|Differentiating Quadriplegia from other Diseases]]==
Delayed diagnosis of cervical  spine injury has grave consequences for the victim. About one in twenty cervical fractures are missed, and about two-thirds of these patients have further spinal cord damage as a result. About 30% of cases of delayed diagnosis of cervical spine injury develop permanent neurological deficits. In high cervical injuries total paralysis from the neck down is the result. Patients will need constant care and assistance in things such as getting dressed, eating, and bowel and bladder help. High quadriplegics will usually use catheters or wear diapers because they are unable to use their arms.  Low quadriplegics (C6-C7) can usually live independently.


In some rare cases, through intensive rehabilitation, slight movement can be regained through [[synaptic plasticity|"rewiring" neural connections]] as in the case of the late actor [[Christopher Reeve]].[http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,793417,00.html]
==[[Quadriplegia epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]]==


==References==
==[[Quadriplegia risk factors|Risk Factors]]==
<references/>


==Support organizations==
==[[Quadriplegia natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]==
* [[Back-Up Trust]]
* [http://mdausa.org MDAUSA]
* [http://www.apparelyzed.com Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support]
* [http://sci.rutgers.edu/ CareCure Community]
* [http://emsci.org European Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury]


==Related conditions==
==Diagnosis==
* [[hemiplegia]]
[[Quadriplegia history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[Quadriplegia physical examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Quadriplegia laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Quadriplegia x ray|X Ray]] | [[Quadriplegia CT|CT]] | [[Quadriplegia MRI|MRI]] | [[Quadriplegia other imaging findings|Other Imaging Findings]] | [[Quadriplegia other diagnostic studies|Other Diagnostic Studies]]
* [[paraplegia]]
* [[locked-in syndrome]]


==See also==
==Treatment==
* [[clearing the cervical spine]]
[[Quadriplegia medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Quadriplegia surgery|Surgery]] | [[Quadriplegia primary prevention|Primary Prevention]] | [[Quadriplegia secondary prevention|Secondary Prevention]] | [[Quadriplegia cost-effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] | [[Quadriplegia future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]]
 
== Case Studies ==
[[Quadriplegia case study one|Case #1]]
 
==Related Chapters==
* [[Hemiplegia]]
* [[Paraplegia]]
* [[Locked-in syndrome]]
* [[Clearing the cervical spine]]


{{Cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes}}
{{Cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes}}
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[[Category:Neurotrauma]]
[[Category:Neurotrauma]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Overview complete]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Disease]]

Latest revision as of 15:33, 22 February 2013

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: Tetraplegia

Overview

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Differentiating Quadriplegia from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

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