What is paraplegia from spinal injury?

Paraplegia results from spinal cord injuries at thoracic, lumbar, or sacral levels causing lower body paralysis while preserving arm function. Thoracic injuries (T1-T12) affect trunk and legs with higher injuries impacting more trunk control. Lumbar injuries (L1-L5) primarily affect legs and pelvic organs with some preserving hip function. Sacral injuries affect bowel, bladder, and sexual function with limited leg involvement. Functional abilities include full arm and hand use enabling wheelchair propulsion and transfers. Independence potential exceeds quadriplegia though significant limitations remain. Complications include pressure sores, urinary infections, spasticity, and autonomic dysreflexia. Wheelchair accessibility needs focus on home and vehicle modifications. Vocational options include sedentary work utilizing preserved upper extremity function. Sexual function impacts vary by level affecting fertility and intimacy. Life expectancy approaches normal with proper care unlike higher injuries. Psychological adjustment involves grieving walking loss while maximizing remaining abilities. Athletic opportunities through adaptive sports provide quality of life. Social reintegration challenges include accessibility barriers and relationship changes. Damage calculations must project decades of medical needs and lost opportunities. Understanding paraplegia impacts helps value significant but not total disability appropriately.

Related posts:

  1. What legal standards apply to dental injuries in motorcycle crashes in personal injury cases?
  2. Q: I was delivering groceries in a rented van in Athens when a faulty lift gate slammed shut and crushed my hand, but the rental company says I waived liability by signing the standard agreement—do I have any legal recourse?
  3. My infant daughter died from whooping cough contracted at daycare where investigation revealed multiple staff members worked while symptomatic with respiratory illness, violating health policies requiring exclusion, because management threatened termination for calling in sick. Can we sue?
  4. Can I sue a roommate for injuries caused by carelessness?
  5. What is the statute of limitations for spinal injuries?
  6. What is complete versus incomplete spinal cord injury?
  7. What legal standards apply to wrongful death claim for unborn child in personal injury cases?
  8. Are there limits to damages for hotel responsibility in stairwell falls?
  9. Are there limits to damages for pedestrian hit in parking lot?
  10. Can victims claim compensation for spinal cord injury long-term cost?
  11. What legal standards apply to personal injury liens and bankruptcy in personal injury cases?
  12. Are punitive damages possible in statute of repose in product liability situations?
  13. What is post-concussion syndrome?
  14. My wife died from toxic shock syndrome after a hysterectomy at a Marietta hospital where post-surgical infection was treated with inadequate antibiotics despite clear signs of sepsis, with nurses documenting concerning symptoms that doctors dismissed. What legal recourse exists?
  15. My wife died from blood loss after delivering our twins when the obstetrician lacerated her uterine artery during cesarean section and didn’t recognize the hemorrhage until she went into cardiac arrest, with nurses documenting concerning vital signs ignored for 45 minutes. What legal recourse exists?