Forms of Tetraplegia
摘要
After analyzing the general characteristics that unite tetraplegic forms and differentiate them from diplegias, four clinical forms are described that can be distinguished based on antigravity organization. For each form, in addition to posture, taken as a guiding criterion, autonomic control and tolerance of movement; mental aspects; visual and hearing problems; breathing, chewing-swallowing, and salivation control; mimic and verbal communication attainment of sitting position and possibilities of assisted verticalization; ability to reach, grasp, and manipulate objects; presence of epilepsy; and possibility of effective seizure control are described. During development, in addition to somatic growth problems, pathological muscle tone can increase and lead to emergence and worsening of secondary deformities that can be disabling and painful. In the form with horizontal trunk antigravity, effects of the two dominant patterns are compared: startle and propulsive reaction. For the form with vertical trunk antigravity, possibilities of verticalization and assisted walking are analyzed. Finally, able tetraplegics are mentioned, children probably affected by a genetic form, capable of highly advanced levels of manipulation but not of locomotion.