Hemiplegia

Under a plegia (Greek Plege πληγή, blow ',' paralysis ' ) refers to a complete paralysis of skeletal muscles. Synonymous one often uses the term paralysis ( paralysis to Greek παράλυσις, paralysis ', ' freezing '), but which is broader and also muscle and nerve groups who may not move the skeletal system (eg bulbar cranial nerves, Argyll Robertson paralysis in Smooth muscle paralytic ileus).

Paralysis can occur for individual muscles or muscle groups when they supplying nerve or its root cells are destroyed in the spinal cord. Plegien entire limb or limbs sections occur, for example when spinal spinal cord injury. In humans they come, due to the great importance of the pyramidal tract, even with damage to the motor cortex before. Individual muscle groups can also fail by damage to the nerves innervating them of the brachial plexus and lumbosacral plexus.

Special shapes

Monoplegia

As monoplegia complete paralysis of one limb or limb portion is referred to.

Paraplegia

The term paraplegia means the complete paralysis of both ( rear ) legs or both arms ( front legs ).

Hemiplegia

A hemiplegia is the complete paralysis of one side of the body. The term is also used for organs outside of the motion system, eg for unilateral laryngeal paralysis.

Quadriplegia

The Quadriplegia Complete paralysis of all four limbs, usually after spinal cord injury in the cervical spine.

Therapy

Remedy, the functional electrical stimulation ( FES) offer. This at least prevents muscle atrophy, but does not eliminate the nerve damage. Conventional stimulation devices for nerve stimulation can not be used as direct muscle stimulation pulse widths significantly longer (about 40 ms) of current or voltage pulses required.

In hemiplegia after stroke physiotherapy should be used as soon as possible to activate the "data " side of the patient. These are often the Bobath concept is used, a 24 - hour concept, is included in the as far as possible all dealt with the patient's therapeutic team.

Furthermore, occupational therapy is often used as a form of therapy in flaccid Plegien. Here, a joint mobilization is used in a complete, flaccid paralysis, which counteracts a stiffening of the joints and the total deficiency. Prophylactic mobilization to prevent joint stiffness is essential because a Recovery of nerve function can never be excluded.