Paralysed Patients Can Now Walk Again Thanks To A New Spinal Implant

A new spinal cord implant helps paralysed patients walk again. The device electrically stimulates their spinal cords which helps restore movement in their legs. All 4 patients that were apart of the study also underwent intense locomotor training sessions. Researchers also said that walking also depends on the patients desire to start walking again. 2 of the 4 patients were able to walk after the training, while all four achieved were able to stand independently. One patient had a hip fracture during training.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), there is an “estimated 1,275,000 persons with paralysis from spinal cord injury”. Researchers found after surveying patients that many want to walk again.

Dr. Claudia Angeli said:

“It is an emotional time for the individual [themselves] because it is something that they have been told they are never going to be able to do again.”

Source:
The Guardian

New England Journal of Medicine