Dr Meher Thej AIIMS - Quadriplegia what is it, symptoms and treatment

Tetraplegia is another name for quadriplegia; it
refers to paralysis from the neck down, including
the trunk, legs and arms. This condition is usually
caused by an injury to the spinal cord, which
contains nerves that carry movement and
sensation messages from the brain to different
parts of the body. Quadriparesis is different from
quadriplegia. According to Dr. Boorgula Meher
Thej, A person with quadriparesis can still move
and feel portions of their limbs. A person with
quadriplegia is incapable of moving any of their
limbs at all.

Causes of Quadriplegia by Dr Boorgula Meher Thej

The two main causes of quadriplegia are spinal cord
injury and brain damage (which has many additional
unforeseen outcomes, including changes in persons
consciousness, memory, thinking and mood).
The majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by
accidents, including car accidents, motorcycle
accidents, falls, gunshot wounds, surgical
complications, pedestrian accidents, being struck by
flying objects, sports injuries, and diving mishaps.
Classification of severity is:

• Complete spinal cord injury A: It is a most serious type of
spinal cord injury. Such a patient has no sensation or motor
function below the injury.
• Incomplete spinal cord injury B: This type of patient has
some sensation, , but the motor function is limited below the
injury.
• Type C: more than 50% muscles are weak, with inability to
move against gravity
• Type D: less than 50% of the muscles are weak.
• Incomplete spinal cord injury E: It is a minor type of spinal
cord injury. Such a patient has almost normal sensation and
strength.

Quadriplegia can also be caused:
• Multiple sclerosis: This is a potentially disabling disease of
the brain and spinal cord, where the immune system attacks
the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and
causes communication problems between your brain and the
rest of your body.
• Lou Gehrig's disease, commonly known as amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis: Lou Gehrig's disease, commonly known as
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: , It is a progressive nervous
system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal
cord, causing loss of muscle control.

• Transverse myelitis: Transverse myelitis is irritation of
both sides of a segment of the spinal cord. This
neurological problem regularly damages the insulating
material covering nerve cell fibers (myelin). Transverse
myelitis interferes with the messages that the spinal
nerves send throughout the body. This can cause pain,
paralysis, sensory problems, muscle weakness, or bladder
and bowel dysfunction.
• Guillain-Barré disease: Guillain-Barré syndrome occurs
when your body's immune system attacks your nerves.
Initial side symptoms are often weakness and tingling in
your range. These feelings can happen immediately. And
eventually paralyzes your whole body.

Symptoms of Quadriplegia:
The basic symptoms of Quadriplegia:
• Numbness throughout body including all the 4 limbs.
• Urinary retention or incontinence with bowel dysfunction
due to lack of smooth muscle control.
• Breathing Problems
Medical Tests for Quadriplegia:
According to Dr Meher Thej AIIMS. Doctors will evaluate patients'
complaints, look into the medical background, examine the
patient's motor and sensory abilities.
Apart from that, various medical tests are done:
X-Rays

Treatment of Quadriplegia:
Treatment depends on the cause of the Quadriplegia, extent of injury
and the condition of patient. You need to consult a
neurosurgeon. Patients with quadriplegia are unable to control their
bodies or senses. For moving around, eating, using the bathroom,
and for each other's daily needs, they are always dependent on
associates.
Treatment for Quadriplegic Patients include:
•Respiratory care
•Skin management and skin care
•Exercises to improve movement and strength
•Occupational therapy
•Bowel and bladder control programmes
•Prevention of Deep vein thrombosis
•Prevention of bed sore

About the Dr Meher Thej AIIMS
Dr. Boorgula Meher Thej is a great neurosurgeon. He is
a neuro-onco surgeon, pediatric neurosurgeon, spine
surgeon, and neurotrauma. He operated approximately
150 cases of neuro-oncology, neuro-trauma, CSFdiversion,
and intracranial hemorrhage as primary
surgeon. Boorgula Meher Thej's mission in life is to
have a successful neurosurgical career involving all the
aspects of neurosurgery, serve people, and grow
himself.