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Physical Activities That Are Contraindicated for Paraplegics

Contraindicated activities are ones that a patient is advised not to do. The instructions change depending on the disease or circumstance. Paraplegics do not have functioning legs or lower body. This is typically causes by a spinal injury or disease. Paraplegics can do most activities that a person with two legs can do--if the activity is modified. Paraplegics often suffer from being too sedentary.

  1. Solitary Position

    • Paraplegics, like other bed- and chair-bound people, must be moved to prevent damage to the skin. Pressure concentrated on one area for too long produce pressure ulcers that cause the skin cells to become red and die. People who sit in wheelchairs for too long are at risk for developing pressure ulcers. They must be moved from the chair to the bed and onto other surfaces to counteract pressure being applied more in one area. Paraplegics should move themselves or ask a caregiver to move them after a period of time.

    Hyperextending Joints

    • Paraplegics need help keeping their knee, toe and ankle joints healthy. Because they have no feeling in their lower half, they cannot feel discomfort, swelling or pain. A caregiver should be bending these joints for the patient. Do not hyperextend (overextend) the joints. This can cause the joint to go past its normal position. It will damage the cartilage and the joint could swell.

    Extreme Temperaures

    • Because paraplegics cannot feel temperature changes in their legs and lower body, they should avoid activities with extreme temperatures. For example, the person could touch a hot radiator with her leg and not notice burning of the skin. Always have a caregiver or friend monitor the time she spends in extreme temperatures. For example, staying in a hot tub for too long can have adverse effects on her health, especially if she cannot feel the temperature of your body rising.

    Self-transfers

    • A paraplegic should not be moving himself if he does not have the arm strength to transferhis own body from one position to another. He should figure out if he can lift himself onto his bed, from the floor to a chair or only into a chair of similar height. If he cannot transfer himself, he should ask a caregiver to support him in the move. Do arm exercises to increase his strength and stability over time.

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