Paralysis

What causes paralysis?
Some people are born paralyzed. Others develop paralysis due to an accident or a medical condition.


Other causes of paralysis include:

cerebral palsy
post-polio syndrome
traumatic brain injury
neurofibromatosis
birth defects
How is paralysis diagnosed?
Diagnosing paralysis is often easy, especially when your loss of muscle function is obvious. For internal body parts where paralysis is more difficult to identify, your doctor may use X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or other imaging studies.

If you experience a spinal cord injury, your doctor may use myelography to assess your condition. In this procedure, they’ll insert a special dye into the nerves in your spinal cord. This will help them see your nerves more clearly on X-rays. They may also perform an electromyography. In this procedure, they’ll use sensors to measure electrical activity in your muscles.


How is paralysis treated?
A treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of the paralysis, as well the symptoms experienced. For example, a doctor may prescribe:

surgery or possible amputation
physical therapy
occupational therapy
mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, braces, mobile scooters, or other devices
medications, such as Botox or muscle relaxers, if you have spastic paralysis
In many cases, paralysis isn’t curable. But a healthcare team can recommend a variety of treatments, tools, and strategies to help manage symptoms.


What is the outlook for people with paralysis?
Many people with paralysis never regain mobility or sensation in the affected areas of their bodies. But even if a person’s paralysis isn’t curable, their healthcare team can recommend assistive technologies, therapeutic interventions, or other strategies to help improve quality of life.

For example, special braces and electronic mobility devices may allow independent movement. Occupational therapists and other professionals can help modify the following to suit a patient’s abilities and needs:

clothes
home
car
workplace
A doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, or other treatments to help manage potential complications.

If you’re seeking treatment for paralysis, ask your doctor for more information about your specific diagnosis, treatment plan, and long-term outlook.