Victims of spinal cord injuries suffered in car, truck, or pedestrian accidents may be heartened to hear some exciting news in the treatment of paralysis which was recently announced. Young patients confined to wheelchairs have been undergoing experimental treatment with the Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at a university in another state. Recently, a revolutionary breakthrough in the treatment of spinal cord injuries was
made when all four men underwent epidural stimulation that resulted in them being able to move their limbs, in addition to exerting at least some bladder and bowel control. This will undoubtedly be welcome news to Missouri and Illinois victims of car, truck, or pedestrian accidents who have suffered paralysis.
The epidural stimulation involves researchers attaching an electrode along the lower part of a still-intact portion of the spinal cord. The electrical device then “zaps” the spinal cord with impulses that then allow the non-functioning area of the spinal cord to begin receiving commands from the brain. This is particularly groundbreaking because doctors had believed for quite some time that these areas of the spinal cord, once injured, would never be able to have their connection to the brain restored.
Spinal cord injuries treatment breakthrough bigger than anticipated
In fact, when researchers began conducting these studies on human patients, they had much more modest expectations that did not involve patients being able to actually regain control over their limbs. This research is revealing intriguing information about the relationship between the spinal cord and the brain, and how information is carried between the two areas of the body. Previously, researchers had been focusing more on the brain rather than the spinal cord when attempting to treat paralysis. This study seems to suggest that electrical stimulation of the spinal cord itself could prove more fruitful.
So far, researchers have had success with wheelchair-bound patients who are only able to assert control over their bladders, bowels, and limbs when connected to the electrical device. However, the mere ability to move parts of their bodies they had lost control over in any capacity has made a huge impact on all of them. Researchers hope to make strides in developing more effective technology for this type of treatment in order to make it more widely available to other paralyzed patients.
Victims of spinal cord injuries can take action to obtain treatment
Unfortunately, this treatment could remain unavailable for some victims considering that it will likely be costly, especially
during the phase where it is still considered experimental in nature. This could necessitate paralyzed victims consulting with a St. Louis personal injury attorney in order to find out how they might be able to pursue financial restitution to cover expenses for this and other kinds of treatment related to their injuries.
In cases where another person’s negligence has caused or contributed to a car, truck, or pedestrian accident resulting in paralysis, a personal
injury case can often be filed in a Missouri or Illinois civil court of law. When a claim is successfully completed, a judge or jury will award financial damages that could include pain and suffering compensation to the injured victim. These damages could also include items like epidural stimulation treatment in some cases.
Those who have suffered severe spinal cord injuries in a car accident, truck accident, or pedestrian accident may benefit greatly from contacting my St. Louis personal injury law firm by dialing 1-888-586-7041, toll-free. My firm can arrange a free consultation to discuss the specific facts of your case and whether we believe you might have a case against another person or company for negligence in causing your spinal cord injuries. We collect legal fees only if we are able to successfully obtain compensation for you; otherwise, my law firm bears the costs associated with investigating the case. Please contact us today in order to find out whether we might be able to seek a civil claim on your behalf.
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