Medical breakthrough: For the first time, paralysis patients can walk

In the past, science still believed that paralysis resulting in paralysis was a permanent, irreversible form of injury. But now, everything is different.

It is no exaggeration to say that spinal injury is one of the worst types of accidents. The spine, which is responsible for sending signals to the brain, forms the central nervous system with the role of coordinating body movement and sensation. So when it gets hurt, the risk of disability is extremely high.

In fact, there are many cases of spinal injuries that lead to hemiplegia, unable to move. And for the scientific world, these are permanent damage, no chance of recovery.

However, recently, a study invested by Christopher and Dana Reeve fund has brought a breakthrough that shocked the medicine. It was a device that was implanted in the spine , and it helped three paralyzed patients to get up, taking the first steps in years.

One of the three patients, Jered Chinnock (29), has been paralyzed since 2013. He is also the first paralyzed patient to be able to walk on his own at the Mayo Clinic. With a device implanted in the spine, it carries the ability to "reconnect" neurons from the legs to the brain. All you need to do then is think about walking or getting up, that's enough.

Jered Chinnock - paralyzed patient since 2013 and can now walk on his own.

The horrific accidents

In February 2013, Chinnock was driving a snowmobile on an ice lake with his fiancée, Nicole and his friends. Unfortunately, he stumbled on a rock and flew out. And from behind, a sleigh is coming .

"I thought I was only slightly injured, but then I realized I couldn't stand up anymore " - Chinnock shared again.

The collision was horrifying. That 23-year-old Chinnock broke his ribs, punctured his lungs, while his spine broke into three.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester (Minnesota) resumed his spine, but the inner nervous system was permanently damaged. The whole control signal of the lower body has been seriously affected. He couldn't even move anything at the lower part of his waist.

"I have prepared a wheelchair spirit for the rest of my life."

The next two patients, Kelly Thomas (23) and Jeff Marquis, also fell into paralysis after the accident.

With Kelly she encountered a traffic accident in July 2014. Just a minute away, the truck she was driving was slipping to the edge, and because she tried to correct the car, the car also turned over. She banged her head on the roof of the car, the compressive force drove straight down the spine and severely damaged it.

Kelly Thomas and the first steps.

And Jeff Marquis (35), a mountain bike ride in Montana in 2011 changed his whole life.

"I'm going down a slope and doing some jumps that shouldn't have been done" - Marquis shared.

"At that time I wasn't sure whether to avoid the holes or try to jump over. I chose to dance, and the result was a broken neck."

In fact, the above 3 cases are not the worst. Christopher Reeve - actor once famous for his role as Superman Superman in the 20th century was paralyzed after an accident while riding in 1995.

The disease was incurable, and he died in 2004 of a heart attack. But before that, he and his wife created the Christopher and Dana Reeve fund for the paralyzed people in the world - the same organization that funded this research.

Unprecedented medical breakthroughs

Luckily for the victims, they are living in an era of rapid development of science and technology. Experts from the Mayo Clinic decided to try a combination of physiotherapy and a spine simulator, to restore the mobility of paralyzed patients.

Besides the Christopher Foundation, the research was also funded by the National Institute of Nurse, in collaboration with many experts from the University of California Los Angeles and Louisville University (Kentucky).

In Chinnock's case, he has been given a rigorous 22-week physical therapy procedure since 2016. Initially, his body was attached to a treadmill, so that his legs were continuously exercised. and help muscles not degenerate.

After the process is finished, the electrodes start to be implanted just below the damaged area, and the wire is connected to the battery located right in the stomach. The device is tuned with a set of tools like TV remote. When turned on, Chinnock could walk on his own. When you turn it off, you lose that ability.

Only 2 weeks after surgery, Chinnock was able to perform some basic movements, even with his hands up. The problem is that you can control those movements thanks to your thoughts.

"He can control the movement of his feet on his own. We were able to help him get up and walk on his own" - said Dr. Kendall Lee, neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic. share.

The electrodes are attached to the damaged spine, with the cord connected to the stomach battery.

For the first time in 5 years, Chinnock did that. Just thinking about getting up or walking, the inner electrodes start to work so that the neuron receives the signal. Currently, he can move for about 16 minutes, with a distance of more than 100 meters - equal to the length of a stadium.

"This is really amazing. Right now I can move my toes. It feels like someone needs to see me if this is true," Chinnock said excitedly.

Thomas and Maruis also registered the same method in November 2016. The same procedure: every month of training on the machine to strengthen muscles, ending with a surgery. In February 2018, Thomas was able to take the first steps.

From left to right: Thomas Kelly and Jeff Marquis - 2 people standing in support equipment to walk.

"The first day I can walk on my own, my feelings are broken. I will not forget the moment I can do it myself without the help of anyone else" - Thomas shared.

With the Marquis, everything is more difficult, because he listed the lower half of his body and part of his finger. During the treatment of the Marquis, it took 85 weeks, but now he was able to move.

There are still limitations to overcome

As a new technology, the device still has some limitations. Although the patients can move, the feeling of the legs is still not available. So initially, Chinnock had to use a mirror to visualize his legs, as well as control his mobility and balance.

At the present time for safety reasons, patients will not be allowed to walk on their own without expert supervision.

"Chinnock will not be able to walk around at home, but he has done many other things, such as sitting up, half-lying and half-sitting," said Dr. Kristin Zhao, associate professor at Mayo Clinic.

"Now I think the real challenge is coming. We have to understand the patient's reactions."

Chinnock at the present time.

At the end of the treatment process, Chinnock is learning how to exercise his entire body to carry heavy things, balance it without the aid of tools. In addition, device control without sounding needs to be practiced. At the present time, he is able to balance to . archery.

"Research shows that even when paralyzed, neurons are always ready to operate," Dr Lee said.

"This will bring hope to millions of movable polio patients in the world".