In the past, when a person was in an accident and lost the use of his or her limbs, there wasn’t much hope that the patient would be able to regain a great deal of function in the affected limbs. In just the last few years, there have been some incredible breakthroughs in medical technology that have the potential to get people moving better again.
One of these breakthrough technologies was recently tested by doctors working at the Mayo Clinic and at the University of Louisville. Doctors were able to implant a special electrical device in the lower backs of two patients who are paraplegics. The devices will stimulate the spinal cord so that it can send signals to the muscles in the patient’s legs. The goal is to help the patients walk at least in a limited way.
Virtual reality is being used to help paraplegics by researchers at Duke University. Paraplegic patients were given virtual reality devices along with brain-control devices. The patients were allowed to use the devices for one year. At the end of the year long trial, all of the patients that were involved in the study reported that they had regained at least partial feeling in their legs.
The University of London’s neurology unit is using cell transplantation technology to help patients walk again. Doctors were able to take nerve cells from a patients nose and then transplant these nerve cells in the patient’s spine. After this cell transplant, the patient regained the ability to walk.
Brain implants to improve mobility are now in the testing phase at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Scientists have been able to use a wireless brain implant in monkeys that is capable of sending signals to the spinal cord. The monkeys in the study had paralysis. After the brain implants were put in place, the paralyzed monkeys were able to regain some of their mobility.
These are just a few of the exciting technological breakthroughs that medical researchers are making in the area of movement disorders. With new technology coming online each day, the time is coming when those with crippling conditions can regain the full use of their arms and legs.
Dil Bole Oberoi
