Four months ago, I was in an accident. I fell 15 meters onto concrete and it crushed my back, along with my upper arms, tailbone and ribs. The other fractures has healed, but my spinal cord injury will never go away. I'm aware of that and man, it's tough. My L1 vertebrae is really damaged and some under that too. My left leg is numb, at most of the skin I can feel a little touch, but not pain or temperature. At some places I can't feel a thing. It's the left leg that's the biggest problem. I can move it a bit, but it's very limited. My right leg is my good leg, it's only part of the foot that's numb. I can move it much more than the left, but I have no control over the foot and the leg it's not THAT cooperative. I sit in a wheelchair and am trying to get used to that. They're saying that it may, with lots and lots of training, be some standing potential in my right. But probably not in my left. My question is, do I go under the definition of a paraplegic? Since I'm not completely paralyzed in my legs, I mean. Or is it called something else?
As I understand. if you have a spinal cord injury you are a paraplegic "incomplete". This mens you have some function and sensation but it is impaired. Welcome.
L1 - L3 Injuries Loss of most motor function of the legs and pelvis, and loss of sensation in lower abdomen and legs Retention of knee jerk reflex No loss of respiratory function Loss of bowel and bladder control All T1-T12 capabilities
L3 - L4 Injuries Loss of motor and sensory function in portions of the lower legs, ankles, and feet No loss of respiratory function Loss of bowel and bladder control May achieve walking with braces
L4 - S5 Injuries * Degree of motor function varies: Hip abduction and internal rotation, ankle dorsiflexion, and foot inversion possible in L4 - S1; foot eversion in L5-S1; knee flexion in L4-S2; plantar flexion and ankle jerk in S1-S2; bowel/bladder control in S2-S5 * Sensory function in portions of lower leg: medial aspects of the foot in L5; lateral aspects of the foot in S1; posterior aspects of the calf/thigh in S2 * No loss of respiratory function; may or may not have bowel/bladder control * Can walk with braces and live relatively independently
While I'm not the one with an SCI, my son took almost 18 months before the full effect of his spinal injury became apparent, he has almost full feeling in his legs with a couple of exceptions, such as the big toe on his left foot and his right ankle, but with ZERO movement.
Yes, as the others have said, you're an incomplete paraplegic. It's good that you're incomplete because there's still chance of recovery. Keep yourself healthy and exercise often. It'll help!
Post by keithbruce on Apr 25, 2017 22:21:48 GMT -8
You may be suffering from Incomplete Paraplegia. A cord injury affects every patient differently. You must consult a physical therapist to regain the functionality of your leg.