How does an injury between T2 and T4 generally affect a patient?

Prepare for the Orthotics and Prosthetics Combined Written Boards Exam. Enhance your understanding with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to succeed in your certification.

Injuries to the spinal cord between T2 and T4 are significant because they typically result in varying degrees of paralysis or loss of movement and sensation in the lower body. The thoracic spine segments T2 to T4 correspond to the lower part of the upper body region, and the nerves associated with these segments provide motor and sensory function to the trunk and legs.

A person with an injury in this area usually experiences paraplegia, which is characterized by the loss of voluntary movement and sensation in both legs. This affects their ability to walk or move the lower limbs effectively. The extent of movement and sensation loss can depend on whether the injury is complete or incomplete, but generally, loss of movement in both legs is a common outcome.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the expected effects of such an injury. Complete ability to walk would suggest no injury or a very mild one, while loss of sensation below the elbows is more indicative of cervical injuries affecting the upper limbs rather than thoracic injuries. Normal movement of limbs generally implies that there has been no significant injury sustained. Therefore, the correct conclusion regarding the effects of an injury between T2 and T4 is the loss of movement in both legs.

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