New Neurotherapy Techniques Cah Help Paralyzed Patients Walk Again

AUSTIN, Texas - Aug. 7, 2024 - PRLog -- A video of a paralyzed man stepping up out of a wheelchair to take steps on his own has given members and friends of the disabled community hope.

In this Formaspace executive report, we'll investigate the need for new therapies to help those suffering from paralysis to live better, more independent lives.

The Number of Americans Suffering from a Paralysis Diagnosis May Be Higher than You Think

The US disabled community is estimated to be around 42 million people, about 13% of the population. Among this group, disability due to some form of paralysis affects about 5.4 million people, representing around 1.6% of the population.

The community of those affected by paralysis can be categorized further:

Some paralytics may have conditions (such as congenital paraplegia) that affect their nervous system during fetal development. Others may have diseases or injuries detected at birth or diagnosed during infancy that affect muscle control, such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy.

At the other end of the demographic spectrum are diseases that typically onset later in life, such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's, all of which can result in varying degrees of paralysis.

Accidents that injure the brain or the spinal cord are the third main category of paralysis causation. Accidental falls (such as from high ladders and roofs or during sporting events, including skiing or horseback riding), vehicular accidents, gunshot or knife wounds, or nerve damage incurred during surgical procedures (such as back surgery) can all lead to varying degrees of paralysis.

According to a 2013 study, stroke is the most common cause of paralysis (37%), followed by spinal cord injuries (27%), multiple sclerosis (18%), and cerebral palsy (8%).

Understanding the Differing Classifications of Paralysis and Related Medical Conditions

The nervous system, controlled by the brain, sends signals down the spinal cord to different muscle groups. Depending on how a disease or injury manifests itself, there can be different outcomes:

Monoplegia affects one limb only.
Diplegia affects the body symmetrically (for example, both arms or both sides of the face)
Hemiplegia, typically caused by a stroke, affects one side of the body.
Paraplegia affects from the waist down, typically affecting both legs and possibly bowel/bladder control and sexual function.
Quadriplegia affects all four limbs. (Tetraplegia additionally affects the neck.)
Locked-in syndrome, a rare condition, affects all movement except the eyes.

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