tetraplegia
Four-limb paralysis
Tetraplegia is paralysis affecting all four limbs, typically resulting from spinal cord injury in the neck region.
The term is synonymous with quadriplegia—tetraplegia uses Greek roots while quadriplegia mixes Greek and Latin.
Medical contexts increasingly prefer tetraplegia: The accident left him with tetraplegia.
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- power wheelchairMotorized seated mobility aid
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- adaptive equipmentDevices modified for disabilities
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
respiratory support · voice control · sip-and-puff · smart home · environmental control · accessible housing · caregiver · personal assistant
Damage to backbone's neural tissue
- cervicalOf the neck
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- myelopathySpinal cord pathology
- neurological disorderBrain or nerve disease
central nervous system · sensory loss · spasticity · flaccidity · atrophy · paresis · C4 · dermatome
Freedom from external control
- dependenceState of needing another
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- feedingGiving food to
- dressingSauce for salads
bathing · transfers · positioning · pressure sores · fatigue · pain management · mental health · quality of life
Treatment restoring bodily function
- occupational therapyRestoring practical life abilities
- strength trainingBuilding muscle through resistance
- mobility trainingExercises enhancing joint freedom
- respiratory therapyTreatment for breathing disorders
speech therapy · range of motion · aquatic therapy · rehabilitation center · neuroplasticity · recovery · progress · patient care
Lasting psychological wound
- accidentUnintended harmful event
- sports injuryHarm from physical activity
- fallDescend under gravity
- violenceHarmful physical force
tumor · infection · stroke · transverse myelitis · spinal stenosis · herniated disc · degenerative disease
wheelchair
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- power wheelchairMotorized seated mobility aid
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
- adaptive equipmentDevices modified for disabilities
ventilator · respiratory support · voice control · sip-and-puff · smart home · environmental control · accessible housing · caregiver · personal assistant · pressure relief
spinal cord injury
Damage to backbone's neural tissue
- cervicalOf the neck
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- myelopathySpinal cord pathology
neurological disorder · central nervous system · sensory loss · spasticity · flaccidity · atrophy · paresis · C4 · dermatome
independence
Freedom from external control
- dependenceState of needing another
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- feedingGiving food to
dressing · bathing · transfers · positioning · pressure sores · fatigue · pain management · mental health · quality of life · employment
physiotherapy
Treatment restoring bodily function
- occupational therapyRestoring practical life abilities
- strength trainingBuilding muscle through resistance
- mobility trainingExercises enhancing joint freedom
respiratory therapy · speech therapy · range of motion · aquatic therapy · rehabilitation center · neuroplasticity · recovery · progress · patient care · therapy goals
trauma
Lasting psychological wound
- accidentUnintended harmful event
- sports injuryHarm from physical activity
- fallDescend under gravity
violence · tumor · infection · stroke · transverse myelitis · spinal stenosis · herniated disc · degenerative disease
- Paralysisparalysis, monoplegia, diplegia, triplegia, flaccid paralysis
- spinal conditionsspinal cord injury, spinal fracture, spinal curvature, spinal stenosis, spinal deformity
- tetra- wordstetrahedron, tetrapod, tetralogy, tetrameter, tetrachord