A MIRACLE FOR PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD PARALYSIS!
The loss of mobility caused by spinal cord injury or paralysis is extremely devastating, because nerve cells do not have the ability to regenerate. This means that a person who was once able to run may never walk again and, after certain traumas (especially cervical/neck injuries), may not even be able to use their hands, becoming dependent on the people around them. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year between 2,500,000 and 500,000 people sustain a spinal cord injury, most often due to motor vehicle accidents, falls, or other trauma. Unfortunately, until recently there was no treatment capable of reversing this loss of mobility.
The combination of Epidural Stimulation Implantation, which is revolutionary for patients with partial or complete spinal cord injury, with “Modern Regenerative Therapy” is undeniably the most powerful and advanced treatment method. One of the greatest lights of hope has been the video of a rugby league star who became paralyzed from the waist down after a tragic training accident 25 years ago and was later able to run again. One of our main goals for our patients is to help them gradually regain their independence in daily life. The procedure has been approved by the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s office responsible for such studies). Currently, it is performed in several countries, including the USA and Switzerland. However, in these markets the cost of surgery can exceed 200,000 dollars, so some patients prefer to undergo the procedure in countries such as Thailand, where the cost is much lower. In our country, we perform this treatment with an experienced team, in fully equipped hospitals, and by supporting the patient throughout the entire process.
Epidural stimulation is suitable for patients with spinal cord injury. There are two options: it can be performed while the patient is awake under local anesthesia using a percutaneous needle technique, or under general anesthesia via an open incision. The procedure involves placing a small device on the protective membrane of the spinal cord. This device generates electrical currents to stimulate the lower part of the spinal cord, which can no longer communicate with the upper segments. These electrical currents are adjusted with a remote control that allows the stimulation parameters to be changed.
When combined with physiotherapy, patients can be trained to regain movement in their legs. Today, this treatment represents the best available technology for spinal cord injuries. In addition to restoring movement, it has the potential to help patients regain other functions such as standing, taking steps with minimal assistance, bladder control, regulation of body temperature, sexual function, and muscle strength control.
The results of surgery and device implantation have been positive so far. Patients who have undergone this experimental procedure have regained movement in their legs and experienced further improvements. In our own cases, we observed that some patients were able to bend their knees just two days after implantation of the epidural stimulator, while another patient was able to take steps on a treadmill.