Many people know about injuries that cause life-lasting paralysis. Some people lose all feeling in their arms and legs, which is quadriplegia. However, it is possible that a car accident could produce a similar condition that does not fully paralyze you.
In the event you lose some control of your limbs following an automobile accident, you should learn from your medical providers if you have quadriplegia or quadriparesis.
How these conditions are similar
Injuries that damage the nervous system, particularly the spinal cord, can interrupt the nerve signals that travel from your brain to the rest of your body. Nerve interruptions characterize both quadriplegia and quadriparesis. It is natural to fear the worst if you suddenly have trouble moving your limbs, but there is a crucial difference between these conditions.
How these conditions differ
Quadriplegia is a complete inability to use your limbs. However, quadriparesis produces a weakness of your muscles without a full loss of control. You may still move your limbs to some extent and experience sensations when you touch other surfaces.
How to recognize quadriparesis
Quadriparesis creates many forms of weakness. Weak muscles may impair your walking ability or keep you from moving your arms and legs in specific ways. Some patients also have a loss of bowel control.
At times, quadriparesis creates obvious muscle problems. You may have stiff muscles that do not move well. A specific form of quadriparesis called flaccid paralysis produces soft muscles that still move but are weak.
Depending on the severity of your injury, you could recover lost limb control with proper treatment and therapy. However, some patients experience permanent quadriparesis. It is important to understand your recovery prospects as you might need to change jobs or seek compensation for your disability.
