Tetraplegia

Mechanism and manifestations

Also called quadriplegia, it may involve sensory, autonomic and respiratory problems. Incomplete injury preserves some functions; the label alone does not determine individual prognosis.

Diagnosis and management

Acute onset requires immediate hospital care. Long-term rehabilitation coordinates mobility, respiratory support when needed, skin care and urological follow-up. No office modality guarantees spinal cord restoration.

Points to consider

A neurological syndrome describes a pattern; its cause, level and evolution still need investigation. Functional consequences may change over time. New or rapidly worsening deficits need hospital assessment even when a neurological diagnosis is already known.

Role of TAGMED care

This condition first requires medical diagnosis and, depending on the situation, specialist management. TAGMED services do not replace treatment of infection or tumor, stabilization of an unstable injury, or neurological or vascular treatment. Any conservative support should be considered only after diagnosis, restrictions and the treating team’s recommendations have been clarified.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Paraplegia — Motor impairment affecting the lower limbs, generally related to neurological injury, with variable severity and residual function.
• Spasticity — Velocity-dependent increase in the response to muscle stretch, forming part of the upper motor neuron syndrome.
• Autonomic dysreflexia — Episode of autonomic overactivity causing potentially dangerous blood-pressure elevation in some people with spinal cord injury, often at or above T6.

Medical references

1. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Spinal Cord Injury.
2. U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. Spinal Cord Injuries.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.