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