{"id":7886,"date":"2026-07-21T22:46:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T22:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-is-paraplegia-and-quadriplegia\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:02:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:02:19","slug":"what-is-paraplegia-and-quadriplegia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-is-paraplegia-and-quadriplegia\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Paraplegia and Quadriplegia? The Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-dark\" style=\"min-height:460px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-secondary-background-color has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"Woman using a wheelchair moving through a modern home office with exposed brick walls.\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/woman-using-a-wheelchair-moving-through-a-modern-home-office-photo.jpg\" width=\"1880\" height=\"1253\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"chg-eyebrow has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Spinal Cord Injuries &amp; Paralysis<\/p><h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Paraplegia vs. Quadriplegia: Understanding the Difference<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);\">A spinal cord injury changes life in an instant. Here&#x27;s a plain-language guide to what these terms mean \u2014 and how a catastrophic injury claim may help your family move forward.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published July 21, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n<h2>What Is Paraplegia and Quadriplegia? Understanding the Difference<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Paraplegia is <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/paralysis\/\">paralysis<\/a> of the lower body. It usually affects both legs and part of the trunk. Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) is paralysis of both arms and both legs, plus the trunk.<\/strong> The difference comes down to <em>where<\/em> the spinal cord was hurt. The higher the injury, the more of the body it affects.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you or someone you love just got one of these diagnoses. You are likely scared and overwhelmed. You are trying to make sense of new words. And you must make hard decisions.<\/p>\n<p>This page explains both conditions in plain language. It won&#8217;t replace your doctors. But it can help you understand what you&#8217;re hearing. And it can help you see what may lie ahead.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/cargo-truck-driving-on-a-scenic-highway-at-sunset-near-tuxtl-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Cargo truck driving on a scenic highway at sunset near Tuxtla Guti\u00e9rrez.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1880\" height=\"1253\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Paraplegia and quadriplegia in plain language<\/h2>\n<p>Both are forms of paralysis. Paralysis means the loss of movement or feeling in part of the body. It often follows a spinal cord injury. When the cord is hurt, it can no longer carry signals between the brain and the body (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The simplest way to tell the two apart is by which limbs are affected:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Paraplegia<\/strong> affects the lower body. The arms and hands usually still work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quadriplegia<\/strong> affects all four limbs \u2014 both arms and both legs \u2014 and often the trunk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These are permanent, life-altering conditions. We won&#8217;t sugarcoat that. But the facts are less frightening than the unknown. Knowing them helps you and your family plan.<\/p>\n<h2>What is paraplegia?<\/h2>\n<p>Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower half of the body. This usually means both legs and part of the trunk. The arms and hands usually still work. That&#8217;s because the injury sits lower on the spinal cord. It is in the thoracic (mid-back), lumbar (lower back), or sacral (base of the spine) regions (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Common effects include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loss of movement in the legs<\/li>\n<li>Changes or loss of feeling below the injury<\/li>\n<li>Changes to bladder, bowel, and sexual function<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Every person is different. Two people with paraplegia can have very different abilities. It depends on the exact level and severity of the injury.<\/p>\n<h2>What is quadriplegia (tetraplegia)?<\/h2>\n<p>Quadriplegia is paralysis that affects both arms and both legs, plus the trunk. It comes from an injury higher on the spinal cord, in the cervical (neck) region.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a point many pages skip. It confuses a lot of families: <strong>quadriplegia and <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/tetraplegia\/\">tetraplegia<\/a> are the same thing.<\/strong> Both describe the same condition. That means trouble using the arms, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. Doctors and researchers tend to write &#8220;tetraplegia.&#8221; That is the term used in the international clinical standards. Families and older records often say &#8220;quadriplegia&#8221; (<a href=\"https:\/\/asia-spinalinjury.org\/international-standards-neurological-classification-sci-isncsci\/\">American Spinal Injury Association<\/a>). If you see both words on your paperwork, you are not looking at two separate diagnoses.<\/p>\n<p>The higher the injury on the neck, the more of the body it affects. The highest neck injuries can affect the muscles used to breathe. Some people need help from a ventilator. That is a machine that helps them breathe (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h2>The key difference: which parts of the body are affected<\/h2>\n<p>Think of the spinal cord as a highway of nerve signals. It runs down from the brain. An injury acts like a roadblock. Everything <em>below<\/em> the roadblock loses its connection to the brain.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Injury in the neck (cervical) \u2192 quadriplegia.<\/strong> More of the body sits below the injury. So both arms and legs are affected.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Injury in the mid or lower back (thoracic, lumbar, sacral) \u2192 paraplegia.<\/strong> The arms are above the injury. So they usually still work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That&#8217;s the whole logic in one sentence. The higher the injury on the spine, the more of the body it affects (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>). Want a plain-language look at the neck, mid-back, and lower-back regions? See our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/back-and-neck-injuries\/\">catastrophic back and neck injuries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Complete vs. incomplete paralysis<\/h2>\n<p>The level of the injury tells you <em>where<\/em>. Whether the injury is complete or incomplete tells you <em>how much<\/em>. This matters just as much.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Complete injury:<\/strong> no movement or feeling below the level of the injury.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Incomplete injury:<\/strong> some movement or feeling remains below the injury (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Doctors grade this using the <strong>ASIA Impairment Scale<\/strong>. It is a standard scale that runs from A through E. &#8220;A&#8221; is a complete injury. &#8220;B&#8221; through &#8220;D&#8221; describe growing amounts of kept function (<a href=\"https:\/\/asia-spinalinjury.org\/international-standards-neurological-classification-sci-isncsci\/\">American Spinal Injury Association<\/a>). If you hear your care team say &#8220;ASIA A&#8221; or &#8220;ASIA C,&#8221; this is what they mean. The grade shapes therapy goals, equipment needs, and long-term care planning.<\/p>\n<p>Only your medical team can decide the level, completeness, and outlook for your injury. Outcomes vary widely from person to person.<\/p>\n<h2>What causes paraplegia and quadriplegia?<\/h2>\n<p>Most cases come from a traumatic spinal cord injury. This is a sudden, forceful event that damages the cord. The Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation lists the leading causes. They are motor vehicle crashes, falls, acts of violence, and sports and recreation injuries (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/todays-care\/living-with-paralysis\/stats-about-paralysis\/\">Reeve Foundation<\/a>). The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports the same. Vehicle crashes, falls, and acts of violence are the most frequent causes of traumatic spinal cord injury (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nscisc.uab.edu\/\">NSCISC<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>In the catastrophic-injury cases our attorneys handle, two causes come up again and again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Truck crashes.<\/strong> A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That is the federal limit on interstate highways. A typical passenger car weighs about 4,000 pounds. That kind of mismatch releases huge force. It can fracture the spine and injure the cord in an instant. We cover the details in our <a href=\"\/resources\/truck-accidents\/\">truck accident<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Violent attacks on unsafe property.<\/strong> This one is harder to talk about. Imagine someone is shot, stabbed, or beaten. It happens in an apartment complex, a parking garage, a hotel, a gas station, or a store. And they were hurt because the property owner failed to provide basic safety. That means working locks and gates, good lighting, security cameras, or guards. That kind of attack can cause a spinal cord injury and permanent paralysis.<\/p>\n<p>A property owner may ignore a known danger. They may fail to protect people they should have protected. If that happens, the injured person may have a claim against that owner. The legal term for this is <strong>negligent security<\/strong>. But you don&#8217;t need to know the term to ask for help. Our page on <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/negligent-security\/\">negligent security claims<\/a> explains it in everyday language.<\/p>\n<h2>The lifelong impact and cost of paralysis<\/h2>\n<p>Paralysis brings costs that last a lifetime. These include ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. They also include wheelchairs and adaptive equipment, home and vehicle changes, and daily personal care. The NSCISC reports that lifetime costs of spinal cord injury run into the millions of dollars. They rise sharply with the severity and level of the injury (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nscisc.uab.edu\/\">NSCISC<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The impact isn&#8217;t only financial. It reaches the whole family emotionally. Loved ones often become caregivers overnight. They learn transfers, wound care, and equipment on the fly.<\/p>\n<p>When someone else&#8217;s negligence caused the injury, these costs may become part of a legal claim. We can&#8217;t and won&#8217;t promise any specific result. But families deserve to understand their options.<\/p>\n<h2>When another person&#8217;s negligence caused a paralyzing injury<\/h2>\n<p>After a catastrophic injury, families often want to know one thing. Should anyone be held responsible? That&#8217;s a fair question. Common examples include a crash caused by an unsafe driver or trucking company. Another is an attack on a property that failed to provide reasonable security. In these situations, a personal-injury attorney can review what happened. They can explain your rights.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Timing matters, and Florida&#8217;s deadlines are strict.<\/strong> Look at most negligence claims that start on or after March 24, 2023. For these, you generally have <strong>two years<\/strong> to file suit (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0000-0099\/0095\/Sections\/0095.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a795.11<\/a>). Florida also follows a modified comparative-negligence rule. A person found <strong>more than 50% at fault<\/strong> generally cannot recover damages (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0768\/Sections\/0768.81.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7768.81<\/a>). Deadlines and rules differ in other states. Some claims have shorter windows. So it&#8217;s worth asking early.<\/p>\n<p>CHG Personal Injury Lawyers are admitted to the Florida Bar. We handle catastrophic injury and <a href=\"\/resources\/spinal-cord-injuries\/\">spinal cord injury<\/a> cases nationwide. Would you like someone to review your situation? You can <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">request a free case evaluation<\/a>. There&#8217;s no cost to talk.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/person-using-a-wheelchair-looking-forward-with-a-quiet-resol-photo.png\" alt=\"Person using a wheelchair looking forward with a quiet, resolute expression.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paraplegia affects the lower body, usually both legs and part of the trunk. Quadriplegia affects all four limbs \u2014 both arms and both legs \u2014 plus the trunk.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is quadriplegia the same as tetraplegia?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. They are two words for the same condition: paralysis affecting both arms and both legs. Clinicians usually write &#8220;tetraplegia.&#8221; Families often say &#8220;quadriplegia.&#8221;<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What part of the spine is injured in paraplegia versus quadriplegia?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quadriplegia comes from a neck (cervical) injury. Paraplegia comes from a lower injury. That is the mid-back (thoracic), lower back (lumbar), or base of the spine (sacral).<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a high spinal cord injury affect breathing?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. The highest neck injuries can affect the muscles used to breathe. Some people need a ventilator.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a violent attack on someone else&#8217;s property cause paralysis?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. An assault, shooting, or attack on an unsafe property can cause a paralyzing spinal cord injury. The property owner may be responsible if they failed to provide reasonable security.<\/p><\/details><hr \/>\n<p><em>This page is educational and is not medical or legal advice. For a diagnosis and prognosis, talk with your medical team. To discuss your legal options, <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>This is attorney advertising. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">The Key Difference at a Glance<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paraplegia<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paralysis that affects the lower body \u2014 usually both legs and part of the trunk. The arms and hands typically keep their function. This results from injuries lower on the spinal cord.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paralysis that affects all four limbs \u2014 both arms and both legs \u2014 along with the trunk. It results from injuries higher on the spinal cord, often in the neck region. &#x27;Quadriplegia&#x27; and &#x27;tetraplegia&#x27; mean the same thing.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why the Level Matters<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The higher the injury is on the spinal cord, the more of the body it affects. This impacts mobility, independence, and the level of ongoing care a person may need for the rest of their life.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Complete vs. Incomplete Injury<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctors also classify spinal cord injuries as &#x27;complete&#x27; (no feeling or movement below the injury) or &#x27;incomplete&#x27; (some function remains). This distinction affects diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outlook \u2014 questions best answered by your medical team.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Talk With Our Team<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How These Injuries Often Happen<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Truck &amp; Serious Accidents<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The violent forces in a truck crash or high-impact collision can permanently damage the spinal cord, causing paraplegia or quadriplegia.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--location\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Violence on Unsafe Property<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A shooting or attack at an apartment complex, parking garage, or business can cause life-changing spinal injuries when a property owner failed to provide reasonable security.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--heart\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Lifetime of Care<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Permanent paralysis often means medical equipment, home modifications, and ongoing care. These are real costs a claim can help address.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Facing life after a spinal cord injury? We&#x27;re here to listen and explain your options.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/\">Glossary<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is paraplegia and quadriplegia? Learn the difference, causes, and what these paralysis injuries mean in plain language for you and your family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":7042,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-is-paraplegia-and-quadriplegia\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"es\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/es\/glosario\/que-es-paraplegia-y-tetraplejia\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-is-paraplegia-and-quadriplegia\/\"}]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"mainEntity\": [{\"name\": \"What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?\", \"@type\": \"Question\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"text\": \"Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower body, usually both legs and part of the trunk, while the arms and hands are typically not affected. Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) is paralysis affecting both arms and both legs, plus the trunk. The main difference is how much of the body is affected, which depends on where the spinal cord was injured. A higher injury, such as in the neck, affects more of the body.\", \"@type\": \"Answer\"}}, {\"name\": \"What is paraplegia?\", \"@type\": \"Question\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"text\": \"Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower half of the body, typically both legs and part of the trunk. It usually results from an injury lower on the spinal cord (the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions). Common effects include loss of leg movement, changes in sensation, and impacts on bladder, bowel, and sexual function.\", \"@type\": \"Answer\"}}, {\"name\": \"What is quadriplegia or tetraplegia?\", \"@type\": \"Question\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"text\": \"Quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia, is paralysis affecting both arms and both legs, plus the trunk. It usually results from an injury higher on the spinal cord, in the cervical or neck region. The higher the injury on the neck, the more of the body is affected, and the highest injuries can affect breathing. Quadriplegia and tetraplegia mean the same thing.\", \"@type\": \"Answer\"}}, {\"name\": \"What is the difference between complete and incomplete paralysis?\", \"@type\": \"Question\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"text\": \"A complete injury means total loss of movement and sensation below the level of the injury. An incomplete injury means some movement or feeling remains below the injury level. This distinction affects daily function and long-term care needs. Outcomes vary by individual and are determined by medical professionals.\", \"@type\": \"Answer\"}}, {\"name\": \"What causes paraplegia and quadriplegia?\", \"@type\": \"Question\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"text\": \"Most cases stem from a traumatic spinal cord injury after a sudden, forceful event. Examples include serious truck and other vehicle crashes, falls, and violent attacks. 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