In the early stages of Paraplegia or Quadriplegia, your doctor will treat the injury or disease that caused the loss of function. Immediate treatment may include:

• Medications.

  Methylprednisolone (Medrol) is a standard treatment for acute spinal
  cord injury. This corticosteroid has been proved to bring about
  significant and sustained recovery in people with a spinal cord injury,
  if given within eight hours of injury. Methylprednisolone works by
  reducing damage to nerve cells and decreasing inflammation near the
  site of injury.

• Traction.
  You may need traction to stabilize your spine and bring the spine into
  proper alignment during healing. Sometimes, traction is accomplished by
  placing metal braces, attached to weights or a body harness, into your
  skull to hold it in place.

• Surgery.
  Occasionally, emergency surgery is necessary to remove fragments of
  bones, foreign objects, herniated disks or fractured Vertebrae that
  appear to be compressing the spine. Surgery may also be needed to
  stabilize the spine to prevent future pain or deformity. However, some
  surgeons believe it's safer to wait for several days before attempting
  any surgery.

Ongoing care
After the
initial injury or disease stabilizes, doctors turn their attention to
problems that may arise from immobilization, such as deconditioning,
muscle contractures, bedsores, urinary infection and blood clots. Early
care will likely include range-of-motion exercises for paralyzed limbs,
help with your bladder and bowel functions, applications of skin
lotion, and use of soft bed coverings or flotation mattresses, as well
as frequently changing your position. Hospitalization can last from
several days to several weeks, depending on the cause and extent of the
paralysis and the progress of your therapy. But treatment doesn't stop
when you check out of the hospital. Here are some of the ongoing
treatments you can expect.