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Diagnoses and symptoms

Paralysis

Paralysis is the inability or reduced ability to voluntarily use one or more muscles, muscle groups or limbs. Ottobock offers paralysis orthoses for various conditions.

Summary

Causes, symptoms and treatment

Paralysis is the inability or reduced ability to voluntarily use one or more muscles, muscle groups or limbs. A distinction is made between different kinds of paralysis.

Motor paralysis

Motor paralysis

Motor paralysis (paralysis of the locomotor system) is classified as peripheral or central paralysis depending on the height of the damage.
Peripheral paralysis: the nerve is diseased or damaged, either in its course after leaving the spinal cord (severed by an injury, for example) or where it originates in the spinal cord (due to polio, for example). These are always cases of flaccid paralysis. The affected muscle groups or limbs exhibit no muscle tension whatsoever.
Central paralysis: the paralysis site is higher with this type, that is, in the long nerve tracts known as the pyramidal tracts of the spinal cord (spinal paralysis) or in the brain itself (cerebral paralysis), for example, after a stroke. Central paralysis frequently becomes spastic over time, meaning the tension of the affected musculature is increased. Depending on the extent of paralysis, it can be referred to as monoplegia (paralysis of just one limb), paraplegia (paralysis of the upper or lower limbs), tetraplegia (paralysis of all limbs) or hemiplegia (paralysis of one half of the body).

Sensitive paralysis (sensory paralysis)

Sensitive paralysis (sensory paralysis)

This type of paralysis is caused by diseases of the peripheral or central nervous system. The ability to perceive sensory stimuli such as cold, heat, pain or touch is lost or decreased in certain areas of the body.

Other types of paralysis

Other types of paralysis

Some types of paralysis are caused by a disease in the muscle itself (myogenic paralysis). Paralysis for mental reasons (psychogenic paralysis) also occurs in rare cases.

Back to everyday activities: three steps to an Ottobock orthotic

  1. Here you’ll find an overview of all the orthotics and supports that could potentially help you. Take the list with you to your next doctor’s appointment.
  2. Talk to your doctor about which orthotic is best suited to your symptoms and condition. Your doctor can then write you a prescription for the appropriate orthotic.
  3. Take your prescription to a medical supply company. They’ll give you your new orthotic and adjust it to fit your exact body measurements.
Solutions

Ottobock orthoses and supports for paralysis

The illustrated products represent treatment examples. Many different factors determine whether a product is actually suitable for you and whether you are capable of taking full advantage of the functionality of the product. Based on a detailed examination (anamnesis), your doctor and O&P professional will work with you to determine the treatment that is likely to be most suitable for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.