PARAPLEGIA DOLOROSA Meaning and
Definition
-
Paraplegia dolorosa is a medical condition characterized by extremely intense and persistent pain experienced in the lower part of the body, typically below the waist, in individuals who are paraplegic. It is a rare and severe form of neuropathic pain that occurs as a result of damage to the spinal cord or nerves in the lower back region. The condition is also known as "painful paraplegia."
The pain experienced in paraplegia dolorosa is often described as burning, shooting, or electric shock-like sensations. It is typically chronic and may be accompanied by hypersensitivity or allodynia, where even the lightest touch or pressure can evoke excruciating pain. The intensity of the pain can vary between individuals, but it is generally regarded as being debilitating and significantly impacting the individual's quality of life.
Paraplegia dolorosa is thought to occur due to abnormal nerve signaling and processing of pain in the damaged spinal cord or surrounding nerves. It may result from a range of underlying causes, including traumatic injuries, spinal cord tumors, infections, or spinal surgeries. The exact mechanisms that lead to the development of paraplegia dolorosa are not yet fully understood.
Treatment of paraplegia dolorosa can be challenging, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Analgesic medications, such as opioids and neuropathic pain medications, may be prescribed to alleviate the pain. Other interventions, such as nerve blocks, physical therapy, and psychological support, may also be employed to manage the pain and improve overall well-being. In some cases, surgical procedures may be considered as a last resort.
-
Painful p., paralysis of the lower extremities in which the affected parts, in spite of loss of motion and sensation, are the seat of excruciating pain; it occurs in certain cases of cancer of the spinal cord.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PARAPLEGIA DOLOROSA
- oaraplegia dolorosa
- laraplegia dolorosa
- -araplegia dolorosa
- 0araplegia dolorosa
- pzraplegia dolorosa
- psraplegia dolorosa
- pwraplegia dolorosa
- pqraplegia dolorosa
- paeaplegia dolorosa
- padaplegia dolorosa
- pafaplegia dolorosa
- pataplegia dolorosa
- pa5aplegia dolorosa
- pa4aplegia dolorosa
- parzplegia dolorosa
- parsplegia dolorosa
- parwplegia dolorosa
- parqplegia dolorosa
- paraolegia dolorosa
- parallegia dolorosa
Etymology of PARAPLEGIA DOLOROSA
The term "paraplegia dolorosa" is a medical term used to describe a type of chronic pain syndrome that can occur in individuals who have experienced spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia (paralysis of the lower half of the body).
Etymologically, "paraplegia" is derived from the Greek words "para" meaning "beside" or "alongside" and "plegia" meaning "stroke" or "paralysis". Therefore, "paraplegia" refers to paralysis affecting the lower limbs.
"Dolorosa" is a Latin word meaning "painful" or "sorrowful". In the context of paraplegia dolorosa, it is used to emphasize the chronic and often severe pain that individuals experience in addition to their paralysis.
