A serious spinal cord injury can cause paralysis, but not every person with paralysis is affected in the same way. Two terms often used after a spinal cord injury are paraplegia and tetraplegia.
Quick Answer: What Is the Difference Between Paraplegia and Tetraplegia?
Paraplegia generally affects the lower half of the body, including the legs, while tetraplegia affects both the upper and lower body, including the arms and legs. Both injuries can impact bodily functions. Tetraplegia is also commonly called quadriplegia.
The difference usually depends on the level of the spinal cord injury. Injuries lower in the spinal cord may cause paraplegia. Injuries to the cervical spinal cord in the neck can cause tetraplegia.
However, these terms do not tell the whole story. Two people with the same general type of paralysis may have very different levels of movement, sensation, independence, and medical needs.
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What Is Paraplegia?
Paraplegia is paralysis or serious loss of movement or sensation that primarily affects the lower part of the body.
The arms and hands generally remain functional. Depending on the location and severity of the spinal cord injury, a person with paraplegia may have limited or no movement in the legs.
Paraplegia can also affect more than the ability to walk. A person may experience changes in:
- Leg movement and sensation
- Balance and trunk control
- Bladder and bowel function
- Sexual function
- Muscle control and spasms
- Pain and sensation
Paraplegia is commonly associated with injuries to the thoracic or lower regions of the spinal cord.
For a more detailed explanation of how different levels of the spine affect the body, read our guide to spinal cord injuries.
What Is Tetraplegia?
Tetraplegia is paralysis or serious impairment involving both the arms and legs. It can also affect the torso and other body functions.
Tetraplegia usually results from an injury to the cervical spinal cord, which is located in the neck.
You may also hear the word quadriplegia. Quadriplegia and tetraplegia generally mean the same thing. Tetraplegia is commonly used in modern medical terminology.
Importantly, tetraplegia does not always mean that a person has no use of the arms or hands.
Some people with tetraplegia retain shoulder, arm, wrist, or hand function. Others have much greater paralysis. The amount of function depends on where the spinal cord was injured and how much damage occurred.
We discuss these differences in much greater detail in our article about cervical spinal cord injuries from car and truck accidents.
Paraplegia vs. Tetraplegia: A Simple Comparison
| Paraplegia | Tetraplegia | |
| Legs | Affected | Affected |
| Arms | Usually not affected | Affected to some degree |
| Hands | Usually not affected | May be affected |
| Torso | May be affected | May be affected |
| Typical injury area | Thoracic or lower spinal cord | Cervical spinal cord |
| Other name | Paraplegia | Quadriplegia |
The basic rule is simple: paraplegia primarily affects the lower body, while tetraplegia affects all four limbs.
But that does not mean everyone with either diagnosis has the same abilities or limitations.
Can Paraplegia or Tetraplegia Be Incomplete?
Yes.
Paraplegia and tetraplegia describe which areas of the body are affected. A separate question is whether the spinal cord injury is classified as complete or incomplete.
With an incomplete spinal cord injury, some nerve signals still pass through the injured area. As a result, a person may retain some movement or sensation below the injury.
This helps explain why two people described as having tetraplegia may function very differently.
We have a separate guide explaining complete vs. incomplete spinal cord injuries, including how doctors classify these injuries.
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Can Someone With Paraplegia Walk?
Sometimes.
Paraplegia does not necessarily mean a complete loss of all movement in both legs. People with incomplete spinal cord injuries may retain some strength or movement below the level of injury.
Some people may be able to stand or walk with braces, crutches, a walker, or other assistive devices. Others rely on a wheelchair for mobility.
A person’s abilities depend on the level and severity of the spinal cord injury rather than the word “paraplegia” alone.
Can Someone With Tetraplegia Use Their Arms?
Yes, in some cases.
A person with a lower cervical spinal cord injury may retain significant movement in the shoulders and arms and some function in the wrists or hands.
A higher cervical injury can cause much greater loss of upper-body function and may even affect the muscles needed for breathing.
This is why the specific neurological level of injury is important when doctors evaluate a person with tetraplegia.
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Rehabilitation After Paraplegia or Tetraplegia
Rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury is designed to help a person achieve as much independence and function as possible.
Depending on the injury, rehabilitation may involve:
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Wheelchair and mobility training
- Adaptive equipment
- Strength and range-of-motion exercises
- Respiratory therapy
- Bladder and bowel management
- Training for daily activities
- Assistive technology
Virginia is home to
Sheltering Arms Institute in Richmond, which provides specialized spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
Some people with complex spinal cord injuries also receive treatment at national rehabilitation centers such as
Shepherd Center in Atlanta, which specializes in spinal cord injury and other neurological rehabilitation.
The goal of rehabilitation is not simply to treat the injury. It is also to help the injured person return to family, work, recreation, and community life with as much independence as possible.
Living With Paraplegia or Tetraplegia
A spinal cord injury can affect nearly every part of daily life.
Depending on the injury, a person may need a wheelchair or other mobility equipment, an accessible vehicle, home modifications, personal assistance, or specialized medical equipment.
People with spinal cord injuries may also face medical complications involving the skin, bladder, bowel, muscles, circulation, pain, or breathing.
Those needs can change over a lifetime.
For someone with a catastrophic injury, determining future medical and support needs can also become important in a personal injury case. We explain that process separately in our article, What Is a Life Care Plan and Why Does It Matter?.
When an Accident Causes Paraplegia or Tetraplegia
Motor vehicle crashes, falls, and other traumatic events can cause spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia.
When someone else’s negligence caused the injury, the legal case should account for more than the person’s immediate hospital bills.
A catastrophic spinal cord injury may affect a person’s ability to work, live independently, drive, care for family members, participate in activities, and perform ordinary tasks that were once taken for granted. It may also create medical and personal-care needs lasting for decades.
At MartinWren, P.C., our Virginia spinal cord injury lawyers represent people with serious spinal cord injuries throughout Virginia. We work to understand not only how an injury occurred, but also what that injury will mean for our client’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paraplegia and Tetraplegia
Is tetraplegia the same as quadriplegia?
Yes. Tetraplegia and quadriplegia generally refer to the same condition: paralysis or serious impairment affecting all four limbs. Tetraplegia is commonly used in medical terminology.
What is the main difference between paraplegia and tetraplegia?
Paraplegia primarily affects the lower body and legs. Tetraplegia affects both the arms and legs and can also affect the torso.
Does tetraplegia mean complete paralysis?
No. A person with tetraplegia may retain some movement or sensation in the arms, hands, legs, or other parts of the body, particularly when the spinal cord injury is incomplete.
Is paraplegia permanent?
It can be, but not every case is the same. Recovery depends on factors including the location and severity of the spinal cord injury and whether the injury is complete or incomplete.
Can people with paraplegia or tetraplegia live independently?
Many can, although the amount of assistance needed varies widely. Rehabilitation, accessible housing, wheelchairs, adaptive vehicles, assistive technology, and personal care can all play a role in increasing independence after a spinal cord injury.
For help with a situation where someone’s negligence caused you or a loved one to suffer a spinal cord injury, contact our Charlottesville spinal cord injury lawyer team today. Our Charlottesville personal injury lawyer team recovered a settlement of more than $17,000,000 for a 74-year old woman who suffered a cervical spinal cord injury that left her with tetraplegia.
We have the skills, experience, resources, and compassion to help you with these catastrophic cases. Call us today for a free consultation.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form