Understanding Paralysis: Prevalence, Causes, and Advances in Rehabilitation

Paralysis affects millions of Americans and its effects are a significant public health concern. According to the 2013 U.S. Paralysis Prevalence and Health Disparities Survey, approximately 5.4 million people—or about 1 in every 50—live with some form of paralysis. While the causes and demographics vary widely, the impact is far-reaching. Understanding the scope of paralysis is essential not only for those living with it, but also for caregivers, clinicians, and advocates working to improve quality of life and expand access to effective treatments.

Understanding Paralysis

Paralysis is clinically defined as a loss of strength or lack of voluntary muscle control. When neural connections to the brain or spinal cord are disrupted, the resulting damage leads to either temporary or permanent paralysis.

The Demographics of Paralysis

According to the survey mentioned above, most study participants were younger than 65 years of age (72.1%), female (51.7%), and Caucasian (71.4%). They were mostly graduates of high school (64.8%), married or living with a partner (47.4%), and unable to work (41.8%).

From an employment standpoint, only 15.5% of individuals with paralysis are employed versus 63.1% without paralysis — a staggering 41.8% of people with paralysis indicated they were unable to work. The households for those with paralysis also have lower incomes, with about 28% of households with someone with paralysis bringing in less than $15,000 annually.

The Symptoms of Paralysis

Altered sensation and loss of voluntary movement are the most well-known effects of paralysis. However, the body’s other systems can be impacted, leading to the following symptoms or secondary effects:

• Muscle cramping, stiffness, tingling, or pain 
• Blood flow disruption
• Issues with breathing, speaking or swallowing
• Disruption of organ functions: 
• Impaired sexual responses
• Incontinence

The Types of Paralysis

Paralysis is categorized depending on the location, severity, and duration of the injury, as well as which muscles are impacted and to what degree.

A breakdown of paralysis is as follows:

• Monoplegia affects one limb, such as an arm or leg.
• Diplegia affects the same area bilaterally, or on both sides of the body (e.g., both arms or both legs).
• Hemiplegia is experienced unilaterally, or affects only one side of the body. Stroke usually causes this kind of paralysis.
• Quadriplegia/tetraplegia affects both the upper and lower extremities.
• Paraplegia affects only the legs.
• Locked-in Syndrome is a rare, acute form of paralysis in which the person can only move their eyes but all other muscles are immobilized.
• Paresis is when the afflicted person experiences weak or impaired muscles but does have some level of control over them. This is also referred to as mild or partial paralysis.

The Causes of Paralysis

There are many causes of paralysis, but most incidences are the result of stroke (33.7%), with spinal cord injury (27.3%) following as a close second, then multiple sclerosis (18.6%), and cerebral palsy (8.3%).
Other causes include:

• Acute Flaccid Myelitis
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Arteriovenous Malformations
• Brachial Plexus Injury
• Brain Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Friedrich’s Ataxia
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• Leukodystrophies
• Lyme Disease
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Neurofibromatosis
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Post-Polio Syndrome
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Spinal Tumors
• Syringomyelia and Tethered Cord
• Transverse Myelitis

Paralysis After Stroke

After stroke, patients may present with full or partial paralysis. Current research suggests that 35% of survivors with initial paralysis in the leg will not regain meaningful function, and 20-25% will not be able to return to walking without full assistance. Unfortunately, poor outcomes for the upper extremity are anticipated if the patient cannot move the leg two weeks after stroke and if the hand has only limited or slight movement at the four week mark. 

Paralysis After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

SCIs are typically categorized as “complete” or “incomplete”– an incomplete SCI means that there is some sensory or motor function below the level of injury, while a complete SCI indicates a complete loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury. Estimates indicate that 46.8% of spinal cord injuries are categorized as incomplete tetraplegia, 20.1% are complete paraplegia, 19.7% are incomplete paraplegia, and 12.8% are complete tetraplegia. Incomplete injuries have better potential for regaining function, as remaining intact neural connections can be strengthened through various rehabilitation efforts.

Paralysis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Complete paralysis in people with MS is rare, but it is estimated that about a third of people will develop some form of paralysis. More commonly, around 70% of people with MS experience significant and widespread muscle weakness (categorized as partial paralysis or paresis). Along with medication, regular exercise is crucial to help battle weakness and to keep muscles as strong as possible.

Exercise for People With Paralysis

Exercise is undoubtedly more challenging for individuals living with paralysis, but it remains essential for both physical and mental well-being. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to serious secondary health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and a reduced quality of life. That’s why finding safe, effective ways to stay active is so important. Even when voluntary movement is limited, there are options for exercise.

Functional Electrical Stimulation

Fortunately, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) offers a powerful and accessible way for people with paralysis or severely weakened muscles to engage in effective, therapeutic exercise. Unlike traditional methods, FES is the only intervention that can produce meaningful muscle contractions in paralyzed muscles, making it uniquely valuable in neurorehabilitation. By delivering small electrical pulses through surface electrodes, FES activates the nerves that control movement, causing the muscles to contract—even when voluntary control is lost due to illness or injury.

When used consistently, this technology-driven approach can:

• Strengthen muscles that would otherwise atrophy
• Improve cardiovascular health and joint range of motion
• Increase muscle mass and local blood circulation
• Reduce muscle spasticity and stiffness
• Promote muscle re-education

FES cycling builds on this by combining stimulation with the rhythmic motion of a stationary cycle, activating the major muscle groups of the lower body. It’s a safe, effective way for people living with paralysis to achieve the intensity needed for physical and neurological benefits. FES cycling is widely used across a range of conditions, including stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, familial spastic paraplegia (FSP), and other neurological disorders. 

The MyoCycle is the most advanced—and user-friendly—FES cycling system available; it is designed to make it as easy as possible to incorporate effective, therapeutic exercise back into your daily routine.

MYOLYN Is Here to Help You Move Again Despite Paralysis

Being diagnosed with paralysis will change your life, but it does not have to mean you never exercise or move again. MYOLYN was born out of a desire to help those with paralysis rediscover movement and be encouraged to live a healthy, full life. When you are ready to discover all the benefits FES cycling can provide, reach out to our caring team.