This case is a 41 years old contractor who fell from a height from his construction site in late 2010. He injured his lower back (D12) that led to paralysis down the waist with no sensation and bladder and bowel control. He was immediately hospitalized and surgery was done for spine stabilization as there was partial cord damage with breaking of lower vertebrae bone at D12 level. Once he was operated, he recovered in terms of having partial recovery in the sensations in the upper thigh and could distinguish the pain sensations around the hip joint. He was rehabilitated and showed great progress in his bed mobility and could get on his own from the bed. Still he was not independent in moving and ambulation and never made an effort to stand on his own. He also used condom catheter for urinary incontinence.
Unable to withstand his disabilities, he decided to undergo Cell Therapy for spinal cord injury treatment hoping for his further recovery. Within one week of intensive rehabilitation, his stamina was boosted and he could balance himself while standing and could walk with the help of walker & calipers with one person’s assistance. This routine made him more confident. His Functional Independence Measure (FIM) improved scoring from 87 to 95. He learnt intermittent catheterization under the urologist’s care, which made him independent socially.
The patient visited the centre again after three months for his post cell therapy for spinal cord injury evaluation. The improvements noted in the patient were as follows:
He became independent in walking with walker & calipers and could sense and bear pinching sensation around both the hips.
He improved in his transfers from bed to chair, wearing the splints and coming to standing position on the walker from bed.
The patient visited the centre again after six months for his post spinal cord injury treatment with cell therapy evaluation. The improvements noted in the patient were as follows
He could turn over both his sides independently
His perception was improved
There has been a major progression in his command following
He could walk with the help of elbow crutches independently and could climb stairs with elbow crutch with the help of side railings.
He improved further in his transfer activities from bed to floor, floor to bed, floor to standing with walker and transferring in the car showing his upper limb strength improving further.
His functional independence measure (FIM) after 6 months increased from 87 to 118.
He could climb stairs from minimal assistance to complete independence.
His bladder control improved and he could pass the urine and residual urine by himself (about 100cc). He could remove it with self intermittent catheterization.
His EMG report which was repeated after six months of spinal cord injury treatment with Cell Therapy showed the evidence of motor unit potentials in bilateral S1 fibers.
Therefore, it builds hope that spinal cord injury treatment with Cell Therapy and Rehab together show improvement in the area of impairment thereby repairing the damage and enhancing the recovery.
What the patient’s parents had to say:
“Everything was going well for our son when an unfortunate incident took his normal life away. We are thankful to those who helped in the recovery of our son. Through your dedication and help, today our son has improved his condition. Today he can walk taking the help of elbow crutches and can even climb the stairs without taking any help. The one thing that worried us constantly was his uncontrollable bowel movement. We are now happy to say that it has improved and he can pass the urine and residual urine without taking help. We are hopeful that his normal life will be restored back very soon.”
Here is a case report of a Paraplegic patient, Mrs. KB, who with the help of Cell Therapy for spinal cord injury carried out at NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, has been able to achieve a new life after the injury.
KB was a 26 year old young woman, who sustained a severe spinal cord injury in a grave road accident; her car suddenly collided with a heavy truck and she was thrown out of the car with tremendous force. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was kept under observation for 24 hrs to monitor her vitals. Once her condition became stable, doctors began examinations and it was seen that she had suffered a spinal cord injury at the D-10 and D-11 level. She was then admitted to another hospital where she was completely bedridden for 6 months and due to the spinal cord injury, operations at that stage were also not possible. A string of doctors visited her while she was hospitalized, most with the opinion that improvements, if any, would be insignificant.
It was through a relative that her family learnt about NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute. Her family then first called up Dr Alok Sharma & Dr Nandini Gokulchandran and set up an appointment for her.
“I had lost hope of anything good happening to me, but after meeting with Dr Alok Sharma I was filled with a spirit of optimism. He explained to me in detail what Cell Therapy for spinal cord injury is and how it can help me to regain my movements. I didn’t know at that point of time, whether Cell Therapy would work or not. I decided to go ahead and take a chance.” she said.
KB underwent Cell Therapy for spinal cord injury in India, at NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute in 2009. Along with Cell Therapy for spinal cord injury treatment, she was also put under an extensive rehabilitation program. The aim of rehabilitation was to improve her functional activities and to help her gain independence in performing day to day activities. She was taught rolling, sitting with legs stretched out on the bed, moving backward and forward, rotations and balance training.
While sharing her experience, KB said, “Slowly, I started sitting up. Then I was put into a wheelchair. Finally, there arrived a day when I was able to stand. Each transition has given me so much joy. I heartily thank Dr Alok Sharma and Dr Nandini Gokulchandran for their support in my journey. My decision to undergo spinal cord injury treatment by cell therapy has proven to be a huge advantage for me. It has given me my energy and motivation to work once again. It’s been 8 years since my injury now and five years since I underwent Cell Treatment. Over time, I have kept in touch with my doctors and give them a regular update. If any problem rises, they have never failed to help me.”
Clinical Improvements seen in KB after Cell Therapy for spinal cord injury treatment
Can perform activities of self care like bathing, grooming, eating, dressing and toileting with complete independence. Required assistance before
Can perform transfers from bed to wheelchair and vice versa independently
Has started locomotion activities
Can walk with the help of splinters and walker
Can move around independently in the wheelchair
Able to move herself from the right side to left side
Functional independence measure has improved from 65 to 110
Spasticity has reduced as compared to before
Can efficiently undergo longer session of physiotherapy
Overall stamina and energy has improved
Can perform household chores like cooking, cleaning, sewing independently
At present, KB runs her own boutique from home where she sells designer ethnic wear and has been doing so from the past three years. Besides, she also helps her father run their family business. Being from a creative background, she does acrylic paintings and designing in her leisure time.
