The accompanying symptoms

The accompanying symptoms of paraplegia depend primarily on the extent to which the spinal cord has been damaged. Below the injury, the functions controlled by the affected part of the spinal cord are disrupted. The most common symptoms are paralysis and a loss of sensitivity.

In most cases, the damage occurs in the lower part of the spinal cord and leads to a loss of function of the skeletal muscles. The result is paralysis of the lower extremities, i.e. the legs. An isolated paralysis of the lower extremity is called paraparesis, whereas the simultaneous paralysis of arms and legs is called tetraparesis.

In addition, sensory disturbances (med. sensory disorders) occur: the patients suffer from altered or missing pain and temperature sensation as well as a loss of tactile sensation and the sense of touch.If the damage is located at the top of the neck, the diaphragm may be paralyzed, a life-threatening situation in which the patient can no longer breathe independently. Another symptom of paraplegia is the appearance of pathological reflexes, e.g. the Babinski reflex.

This is a reflex of the sole of the foot in which the big toe is stretched and the other toes are bent by stroking the sole. Many people who have suffered an injury to the spinal cord, unfortunately also suffer from bladder and rectal problems. Depending on the height of the lesion, circulatory problems often occur as well, since the control of blood pressure by the autonomic nervous system is disturbed.

A paraplegic syndrome and the accompanying symptoms represent a heavy psychological burden for those affected, which is why many patients also develop depressive moods and depression. An injury to the spinal cord can lead to a disturbance in the control of the bladder and rectum. Patients are unable to empty their bladder and intestines or cannot empty them completely.

Due to the loss of the sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, paraplegia leads to an involuntary leakage of urine and stool (so-called incontinence). Mixed forms between incontinence and voiding disorders are also possible. During rehabilitation treatment, the affected persons learn how to deal with the disorder and take certain measures to make life with the bladder and rectum disorder easier. These include, for example, positively influencing bowel function through diet and relaxation exercises or emptying the bladder independently with disposable catheters.