high-level paraplegia

High-level paraplegia refers to a transverse lesion occurring at a relatively high level of the spinal cord. In medicine, paraplegia caused by a transverse lesion of the spinal cord above the second thoracic vertebra is generally termed high-level paraplegia, while paraplegia resulting from spinal cord injury below the third thoracic vertebra is termed lower-body paraplegia. High-level paraplegia generally presents with tetraplegia and often has a poor prognosis; in other aspects, it is the same as lower-limb paraplegia. Fractures of the spinal vertebrae or appendages, displaced vertebral bodies, or bone fragments protruding into the spinal canal may compress the spinal cord or cauda equina, causing varying degrees of injury. When, below the level of the transected spinal cord, the sensation, movement, and reflexes of the limbs are completely lost, and bladder and anal sphincter functions are completely lost, it is termed complete paraplegia. After cervical spinal cord injury, if both upper limbs exhibit neurological dysfunction, it is termed tetraplegia.