Can a lumbar injury cause paralysis?

A lower injury to the spinal cord may cause paralysis affecting the legs and lower body (called paraplegia). A spinal cord injury can damage a few, many, or almost all of the nerve fibers that cross the site of injury.

What type of paralysis would occur with an injury at the level of the vertebrae listed?

Lumbar spinal cord injury L1-L5 Lumbar level injuries result in paralysis or weakness of the legs (paraplegia).

What happens if the lumbar spine is damaged?

Damage to the lumbar spinal cord subsequently affects the hips and groin area, and may impact the lower abdominal muscles and thigh flexion as well. Lumbar spinal cord injuries (SCIs) may be complete or incomplete and may affect one or both sides of the body.

Can a spinal injury cause temporary paralysis?

An injury that severs the spinal cord or destroys nerve pathways in the spinal cord causes permanent paralysis, but a blunt injury that jars the spinal cord may cause temporary weakness, which can last days, weeks, or months.

What type of paralysis would occur with an injury at the level of the vertebrae listed C6?

After a C6 spinal cord injury, individuals experience varying degrees of paralysis in the upper and lower body, also known as quadriplegia.

What determines paralysis level?

There are many factors that determine the level of severity for paralysis. Getting an idea of how serious the injury is depends on what area of the spinal cord was damaged, along with knowing whether the injury is complete or incomplete. The most common spinal cord injury occurs in the lumbar section.

What is a lumbar injury?

A lumbar strain is an injury to the lower back. This results in damaged tendons and muscles that can spasm and feel sore. The lumbar vertebra make up the section of the spine in your lower back.

What causes vertebrae paralysis?

In addition to the initial vertebral injury, the interference at the C1 and/or C2 level can cause the vertebral arteries to inflict neurological damage; leaving the brain without a vital source of blood. Symptoms following an injury to the cervical vertebrae C1 and C2 may include: Complete paralysis of arms and legs.

How do you know if your paralysis is permanent?

Permanent paralysis is when a paralyzing condition does not go away or fade over time. Even with treatment, a person suffering permanent paralysis may never regain control over their lost motor functions—even with therapy and treatment.

Can a lower spinal cord injury cause paralysis?

An injury higher on the spinal cord can cause paralysis in most of the body and affect all limbs (called tetraplegia or quadriplegia). A lower injury to the spinal cord may cause paralysis affecting the legs and lower body (called paraplegia).

What happens if you have a lumbar spinal cord injury?

Lumbar spinal cord injury L1-L5. Lumbar level injuries result in paralysis or weakness of the legs (paraplegia). Loss of physical sensation, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction can occur. However, shoulders, arms, and hand function are usually unaffected.

What is the definition of a spinal cord injury?

View Full Treatment Information. Definition. A spinal cord injury usually begins with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. The damage begins at the moment of injury when displaced bone fragments, disc material, or ligaments bruise or tear into spinal cord tissue.

What kind of paralysis is caused by nerve damage?

Paralysis is the inability—whether temporary or permanent—to move a part of the body. In almost all cases, paralysis is due to nerve damage, not to an injury to the affected region.