Symptoms of paraplegia

Paraplegia is mainly characterized by motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunction. Paraplegia refers to spinal cord injury with high location (usually at the level of the second thoracic vertebrae and above). Hyperbaric oxygen and surgery should be performed as soon as possible after the injury, and 6 hours after the injury is the critical treatment period. 1. Motor dysfunction: in the stage of spinal shock, there will be a complete loss of motor function below the level of spinal cord injury, and paraplegia may include loss of motor function of anal sphincter and muscles of both lower limbs, and it will gradually change into spastic paralysis with increased muscle tone and hyperreflexia after 2~4 weeks after the injury. 2. Sensory dysfunction: Loss of sensation such as warmth, pain, touch and pressure below the injury level; paraplegia is mostly at the level of the second thoracic vertebrae and above, and may include sensory deficits of the limbs or both lower limbs, and part of the thoracic and dorsal regions. 3. Autonomic dysfunction: bladder and rectal dysfunction can be seen, with difficulty in urination, defecation or incontinence. The occurrence of paraplegia requires prompt medical attention, standardized treatment and rehabilitation.