Tetraplegic or Quadriplegic describes someone who is paralysed because the spinal cord in their neck region has been damaged in some way. Accidents are normally the main cause of spinal injury, however, tumours on the spinal cord can also result in paralysis. The spinal cord is very complex and every injury is different. Two people with the same injury may not possess the same movement.  The severity and location of the injury to the spinal cord will determine how much movement, or lack of movement that person will have.  There are seven vertebraes in the neck, otherwise known as the cervical region. Each vertebrae is normally abbreviated with the letter "C". So you will have C1 - C7. Generally speaking, the higher the break, the less movement you will be left with.  

There is sometimes a difference between the breaks, sometimes you can have something called an incomplete injury.  Basically this means that the spinal cord isn't completely severed.  Sometimes this can dramatically affect what movement you have.  Some people may have movement in their legs and almost nothing in their arms.  Some people are able to walk perfectly okay but have very weak upper body movement.  Other incomplete injuries result in much better movement and strength and in some cases, control over bowel and bladder.  A complete injury normally means the spinal cord is completely severed.


C1 - C3 complete injuries normally result in complete paralysis of all limbs. C1/2 and sometimes C3 will in many cases require ventilation to aid breathing. However, many C3 are able to breathe without the need for ventilation. 

C4 - C5 complete injuries normally result in complete paralysis below chest level. Most patients have shoulder and limited arm movement. Limitations are lack of tricep muscles, no wrist extensors, and no finger movement.

C6 -C7 subjects often have quite a bit more movement than C5 for instance. C6 normally have wrist extensors but still no hand or tricep movement. However, their strength is in many cases, a little better than a C5 injury. C7 have good arm movement and functional triceps which makes life so much easier as you can often transfer yourself. They may often have slight hand movement.

Complete tetraplegia normally results in no bowel or bladder function.

This is just a brief description of tetraplegia, hopefully it should give you an idea of the different levels of break

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