Paraplegia vs Paraparesis

[pianodave]

Hi CareCure,

Been a while since I posted. I identify as a T-5 paraplegic, 18 years post, incomplete. But I have recovered a lot of function, enough that I walk with a cane or walker. Generally, in the absence of those things, I can get around by lurching somewhat.

I was told by a physical therapist that because I recovered enough to walk I should start referring to my condition as paraparesis, not paraplegia. Is this true? Should paraplegics who regain the requisite function classify themselves as having paraparesis? (is paraparetic a word)? While I don't want to claim I am something I am not, I also know that not many people know the word paraparesis.

Thanks,

Dave

[juniorsenior]

My uneducated opinion...do you want to be technicality correct and explain what paraparesis is to every single person or do you want to convey essential meaning to people? I don't have the energy to explain my condition technically correct to every person so I sum it up for them. You had a spinal cord injury at a certain level that has had significant recovery.

For the identity piece...go with what feels right. Gut feeling. One will probably feel better, and if that feeling changes, you'll know then as well. For your therapist....have a chat about your attachment to an identity people are saying does not suit you any further

[SCI-Nurse]

Paraparesis (or quadriparesis) is an outdated term, and is not recommended to be used by either ASIA or ISCoS (for a number of years). Injuries or diseases of the spinal cord should be described by their ASIA LOI (level of injury) and their AIS score/category (A, B, C, D, or E). This PT is out of date.

(KLD)

[pianodave]

She did graduate in 1964. She's an old lady from India. I guess my follow up question would be when the term paraparesis WAS used back then, would it have been correct to say that a paraplegic progressed to being paraparetic if he or she recovered enough?

[smity50]

I was told paraplegic is not correct so to speak. Para is Latin and plegic is Greek. Paresis is Latin so the term paraparesis is Latin instead of Greek and Latin. Same with quad. Something along this line anyway.

[SCI-Nurse]

Lots of info in my reply
Paresis - medically- is mostly used for debilities associated with stroke, seizure, cerebral palsy - when not associated with the spinal cord


Tetra = Greek for four
Quad=Latin for four
Plegia=Greek for paralysis
Para= Greek for side by side

The only word origin that is Latin is Quad

Tetra plegia all Greek
Para plegia all Greek

www.yourdictionary.com/paresis
Origin of Paresis

• Greek act of letting go, paralysis from parīenai to let fall para- beside para– 1 hīenai to throw yē- in Indo-European roots From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
• From Modern Latin, from Ancient Greek πάρεσις (paresis, “letting go, paralysis"), from παριέναι (parienai, “relax"), from παρα- (para-) + ἰέναι (ienai, “let go"). From Wiktionary

Paresis: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment (healthline.com)
What is paresis?
Paresis refers to a condition in which muscle movement has become weakened or impaired. You may also sometimes see it referred to as “mild paralysis” or “partial paralysis.”

Although paresis affects your muscles, it usually occurs due to nerve damage.

A vast network of nerves controls the movement of the muscles in our bodies. If a part of this network is damaged, muscles in the affected area may not work properly.

There are several factors that can cause paresis, and there are many different types of paresis. Paresis is often categorized by the area of the body that’s impacted. How is paresis different from paralysis?
Paresis is characterized by muscle weakness. A person with paresis can still move the affected muscle or muscles. However, these movements are weaker than normal.

Paresis is different from paralysis. An individual who has paralysis isn’t able to move a specific muscle or muscle group at all.

You may also see paresis used as a suffix to distinguish what part of the body is affected. For example, a person with monoparesis has muscle weakness affecting one limb.

The corresponding suffix for paralysis is “-plegia.” Using the same example, a person with monoplegia has paralysis that affects one limb. Causes and types of paresis
There are many different factors that can cause nerve damage that results in paresis.


SCI-Nursepbr

[pianodave]

Thanks SCI-Nurse. Does all this information mean that a person once paralyzed is always considered paralyzed no matter what the eventual outcome may be?

[funklab]

She did graduate in 1964. She's an old lady from India. I guess my follow up question would be when the term paraparesis WAS used back then, would it have been correct to say that a paraplegic progressed to being paraparetic if he or she recovered enough?

Sheesh she’s in her 70s (maybe even 80 years old) and still working as a physical therapist? Good for her. But yeah, it sounds like her terminology might be a little outdated.

[smity50]

Punched some stuff into chatgtp for fun. The Tetra Quad thing at the end is interesting.

Both "plegia" and "paresis" refer to conditions that affect muscle strength and control. However, they have different meanings and implications.

"Plegia" refers to a complete loss of muscle strength and control, usually on one side of the body. For example, hemiplegia refers to paralysis on one side of the body, often caused by a stroke or brain injury.

On the other hand, "paresis" refers to a partial loss of muscle strength and control. The affected muscles are weakened, but not completely paralyzed. This condition can also affect one side or the entire body. For example, monoparesis refers to partial paralysis in one limb, while quadriparesis refers to weakness in all four limbs.

In summary, "plegia" indicates complete paralysis, while "paresis" indicates partial paralysis or weakness. Both terms are often used to describe the severity of muscle weakness or paralysis in medical contexts.


The ASIA LOI (American Spinal Injury Association's Impairment Scale Level of Injury) is a system used to classify the level of severity of spinal cord injury. It is based on the neurologic examination of the patient and their ability to move and feel different parts of their body. The LOI is typically expressed as a letter and a number, with the letter representing the spinal cord segment that is affected and the number indicating the level of severity within that segment. The letters used are C (cervical), T (thoracic), L (lumbar), and S (sacral).

The AIS (American Spinal Injury Association's Impairment Scale) is another system used to classify the severity of spinal cord injury. It is based on the motor and sensory function of the patient below the level of injury. The AIS categorizes the injury as A, B, C, D, or E, with A being the most severe and E being the least severe.

Here is a breakdown of the ASIA LOI and their corresponding AIS score/category:

• ASIA LOI C1-C4: Complete tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs and trunk). AIS A
• ASIA LOI C5: Incomplete tetraplegia with some shoulder and elbow function. AIS A or B
• ASIA LOI C6: Incomplete tetraplegia with some wrist extension and functional hand movement. AIS B or C
• ASIA LOI C7-C8: Incomplete tetraplegia with some finger function. AIS C or D
• ASIA LOI T1-T12: Paraplegia (paralysis of lower limbs and trunk). AIS D or E
• ASIA LOI L1-L5: Paraplegia with varying degrees of leg function. AIS D or E
• ASIA LOI S1-S5: Paraplegia with intact sensory and motor function of the legs. AIS D or E.

Tetraplegia and quadriplegia are two terms that are often used interchangeably to describe a type of paralysis. Both terms refer to a paralysis that affects all four limbs, as well as the torso and sometimes the neck and head. However, there are some subtle differences between these two terms:

• Tetraplegia: This term is commonly used in medical settings and refers to paralysis that affects all four limbs, as well as the torso, neck, and head. The term is derived from the Greek words "tetra," meaning four, and "plegia," meaning paralysis.
• Quadriplegia: This term is more commonly used in everyday language and also refers to paralysis that affects all four limbs and the torso. However, it does not necessarily include paralysis of the neck and head. The term is derived from the Latin words "quadri," meaning four, and "plegia," meaning paralysis.

So, in summary, both tetraplegia and quadriplegia refer to paralysis that affects all four limbs and the torso, but tetraplegia may also include paralysis of the neck and head, while quadriplegia does not necessarily include these areas.