Paraplegia Complications

Paraplegia can contribute to a number of medical complications due to the loss of feeling or function in the lower extremities.

Overview

Complications resulting from paraplegia may include:

• Pressure sores (decubitus)
• Thrombosis
• Depression
• Bladder and bowel incontinence
• Impotence
• Circulation disorders
• Autonomic dysreflexia
• Loss of muscle tone
• Pain
• Pneumonia and other respiratory complications

Urinary Tract and Bowels

Bladder control is impaired in paraplegics as the nerve that allows the brain to control bladder control is damaged. Therefore incontinence is common in paraplegics. Furthermore, urinary tract infections and kidney stones are common. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat the urinary tract infections and in some cases for prophylaxis.

Similarly, bowel incontinence due to inability to control movements is also common. A high fiber diet can help to reduce ease bowel movement.

Physical Conditions

Due to lack of movement and physical activity a paraplegic’s fitness and wellbeing is at risk. Maintenance of muscle tone, fitness and overall health is considered.

Physiotherapists often prescribe exercises and strategies for paraplegics to gain function and muscle. Occupational therapists can provide various assistive technology such as a standing frame, as well as vigilant self observation and care may aid in helping to prevent future and mitigate existing complications.

Sexual Function

Sexual function can be affected due to a spinal cord injury. Males may experience difficulty obtaining an erection and ejaculating. Females generally have difficulty with lubrication. Urologists and fertility experts can help paraplegics address impotence and fertility difficulties.

Nervous System

Cases of chronic nerve pain in the areas surrounding the point of injury are not uncommon. Chronic nerve pain is most common in individuals with incomplete paraplegia. There is speculation that the "phantom pains" experienced by individuals suffering from paralysis could be a direct result of these collateral nerve injuries misinterpreted by the brain. Sometimes it results in death.
Poor circulation in the lower limbs can lead to swelling of legs and orthostatic hypotension due to poor blood flow back to the heart. Increased stasis of blood can result in blood clots. This can increase the risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Other complications

As paraplegia is most often the result of a traumatic injury to the spinal cord tissue and the resulting inflammation, other nerve related complications can and do occur.

Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life threatening medical emergency occurring most commonly in patients with paraplegia. It is marked by a sudden onset of extreme hypertension. Paraplegics should be made aware of the symptoms, which are headache, profuse sweating, slow heart rate and nasal congestion.

Depending on the location of the spinal injury, some paraplegics may experience difficulty breathing and coughing. This can increase the individual’s risk of having pneumonia.

Rehabilitation

A multidisciplinary team of health professionals usually works together with paraplegics to enable them to manage and complications that may occur. This can include but isn’t limited to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical specialists, dietitians and psychologists.

The change in an individual’s life as a result of paraplegia can be an ordeal to cope with emotionally and mentally. Additionally complications and symptoms such as pain can make the change even more difficult to cope with. Psychologists, pychiatrists and various other support groups can provide methods to manage symptoms of depression and distress to paraplegics and loved ones affected.

References

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21675354
• http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpdf.nsf/ByPDF/Paraplegia_(spinal_cord_injury)/$File/Paraplegia_(spinal_cord_injury).pdf
• http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/spastic-paraplegia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Further Reading

• All Paraplegia Content
• Paraplegia – What is Paraplegia?
• What Causes Paraplegia?

Written by

Yolanda Smith

Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.