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Met a patient in his mid 40’s met with a car accident and admitted in hospital. After discharge he came to our clinic. After the accident his both the hands and legs are paralysed (quadriplegia), he had C5-C6 fracture in his neck, initially for first 2 months he was treated in his home and noticed improvements in range of movement and muscle powers, 5th month he started walking using a stick, he independently visits our clinic for the treatment, now it’s been 8 months he is walking normally like any normal person.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: What is quadriplegia?
Quadriplegia is a condition where a person loses the ability to move or feel their arms, legs, and often their chest and stomach area. It happens when the spinal cord — the bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the body — is damaged in the neck area. The word "quadriplegia" comes from the Latin for "four" and "paralysis," meaning all four limbs are affected.
Q2: What causes quadriplegia?
The most common causes are accidents such as car crashes, falls, diving into shallow water, and sports injuries. It can also be caused by medical conditions like tumours, infections, stroke, or diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Anything that damages the spinal cord in the neck region can lead to quadriplegia.
Q3: Can quadriplegia be temporary or permanent?
In some cases, quadriplegia can be temporary, particularly if the spinal cord has been bruised or swollen rather than permanently damaged. Many people do regain some function over time, especially in the first weeks and months after an injury. However, if the spinal cord is severely or completely damaged, the paralysis is likely to be permanent.
Q4: What spinal cord injuries can lead to quadriplegia?
Injuries to the cervical (neck) part of the spine — labelled C1 to C8 — are the ones that cause quadriplegia. The higher up the injury is in the neck, the more of the body is affected. Even a partial injury to this area can result in significant weakness or paralysis in all four limbs.
Q5: Can a stroke cause quadriplegia?
Yes, a stroke can cause quadriplegia, though it is less common than spinal cord injury. This can happen when a stroke affects the brainstem — the part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord — or when a stroke cuts off blood supply to the spinal cord itself. The paralysis caused by a stroke-related quadriplegia may look similar to that caused by a spinal cord injury.
Q6: How is quadriplegia diagnosed?
Doctors start by carrying out a physical examination to check what movement and feeling the person still has. They then use imaging scans — usually an MRI or CT scan — to see exactly where and how badly the spinal cord is damaged. A standard checklist called the ASIA Scale is also used to score the severity of the injury from mild to complete.
Q7: What parts of the body are affected by quadriplegia?
Quadriplegia affects both arms, both legs, and usually the chest and stomach muscles as well. Depending on how high up the injury is, it can also affect breathing, bladder control, bowel control, blood pressure, and body temperature regulation. Sensation — the ability to feel touch, heat, cold, and pain — is often reduced or lost in affected areas too.
Q8: Can people with quadriplegia recover movement?
Some people do regain movement, particularly those with incomplete injuries, and recovery is often greatest in the first six to twelve months. Intensive rehabilitation can help the nervous system adapt and find new ways to send signals. Complete recovery from a full spinal cord injury is rare, but partial improvements are possible and can make a huge difference to daily life.
Q9: When should physiotherapy start after a spinal cord injury causing quadriplegia?
Physiotherapy should begin as soon as the person is medically stable, which is often within the first day or two of being in hospital. Early physiotherapy focuses on preventing complications like chest infections, blood clots, and muscle tightening. Starting early takes advantage of the period when the nervous system is most responsive and gives the best chance of maximising recovery.
Q10: How often should a person with quadriplegia attend physiotherapy sessions?
During the early stages of rehabilitation in hospital, physiotherapy is usually provided daily — sometimes twice a day. After discharge, sessions may continue several times a week depending on the person's needs, goals, and what is available in their area. Throughout life, some level of ongoing physiotherapy is usually recommended to maintain health and adapt to any changes in condition.
Q11: Can physiotherapy help regain movement in the arms or legs?
For people with incomplete spinal cord injuries, physiotherapy can support the return of movement by encouraging the nervous system to find and strengthen new pathways. Repetitive, task-specific practice — doing movements over and over — is particularly effective at helping the brain and spinal cord relearn how to send signals. Full recovery of movement is not always possible, but even partial improvements can significantly increase independence.
Q12: Is electrical stimulation useful in quadriplegia physiotherapy?
Yes — electrical stimulation uses small electrical currents to activate muscles that the person can no longer voluntarily control, helping to maintain muscle bulk and improve circulation. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) goes further by timing the electrical pulses to create useful movements, such as pedalling a cycle or gripping an object. Electrical stimulation is not suitable for everyone, but for many people it is a valuable addition to their physiotherapy programme.
Q13: How can family members support a person with quadriplegia?**
Family members can offer enormous support by learning about the condition, taking part in rehabilitation training, and helping to create a positive and inclusive environment at home. It is equally important for families to listen to the person's own wishes and preferences rather than making assumptions about what they need. Family members should also look after their own wellbeing — caring can be demanding, and seeking support for yourself is not a weakness.
Written and approved by
Dr J Mohammed Abdulla MPT.,(Neuro)
Dr Karthikeyan S MBBS.,