What is the difference between quadriplegia and paraplegia?
Quadriplegia (also known as Tetraplegia) affects the nerves that supply feeling and movement to the arms and hands, as well as the nerves of the diaphragm come from the nerve roots in the cervical spinal cord. If the cord is injured in this region, movement and sensation may be interrupted to arms and hands as well as the rest of the body (including muscles in the abdomen, chest and legs as well as, bladder bowel and sexual organs). If the injury is high enough that the diaphragm is affected, breathing problems will also occur. Quadriplegia is a condition that can cause paralysis of both the upper and lower limbs. Paraplegia is an injury to the cord in the thoracic or lumbar spine may affect the legs and trunk (abdomen and lower back) as well as bladder, bowel and sexual function, but arms and hands are unaffected.
