Since hemiplegia is characterized by the fact that it affects one side of the body, it may be referred to as either “left hemiplegia” or “right hemiplegia” depending on the specific side of the body that is affected.

Basically, the difference between left hemiplegia and right hemiplegia is whether the left or right side of the body is paralyzed.

What causes left hemiplegia vs right hemiplegia? It depends on the specific nerve damage that a person experiences. As noted before, the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, and the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. So, if the right hemisphere of the brain is damaged, but the left is intact, then it is more likely to result in left hemiparesis (and vice versa for damage to the left hemisphere). However, that is not necessarily a guarantee.

Any kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in partial or complete trauma-induced paralysis—along with many other symptoms. As such, it is important to undergo a complete medical evaluation following any major head trauma or other events affecting the nervous system.