Paralysed man stands with help of epidural stimulationRSS Feed

A man with spinal cord injury in the USA is able to stand again after responding well to electrical stimulation of his spinal cord.

Rob Summers was paralysed after a hit and run accident left him with spinal cord injury four years ago.

Doctors implanted 16 electrodes into his spine and the patient trained in attempting to move his legs as electrical pulses were released in a trial published in the Lancet.

He was able to stand independently, control his legs and step with assistance for short periods of time and has also seen improved bladder, bowel and blood pressure control.

Authors say the method needs to be tested on more patients to ensure it works.

Mr Summers said: "This procedure has completely changed my life.

"For someone who for four years was unable to even move a toe, to have the freedom and ability to stand on my own is the most amazing feeling."

This news comes on Spinal Cord Injury awareness day (May 20th), upon which leading charities have united to raise the profile of the condition in the UK.

Serious Law, award winning spinal injury law firm

Posted by Matthew Heap
 

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