Spinal cord injuries can leave Louisiana residents with devastating effects. These injuries can leave people unable to walk, move or even care for themselves. People who suffer these types of injuries — including paralysis — may spend months or even years in rehabilitation trying to make small improvements. Many may never be able to do the things they enjoyed prior to their spinal cord injury.
However, medical technology is working hard to come up with effective therapies for these devastating injuries. All sorts of techniques are being tested across the country including, synthetic biology, stem cells and prosthetic implants. In many cases, these invasive techniques are still in the beginning stages.
One non-invasive clinical trial is also being tested to help those affected by spinal cord injuries. In this trial, a robotic system — called the ReWalk rehabilitation system — is being tested to help patients regain their ability to walk. This system weighs around 44 pounds and is connected directly to patients. The system helps to move the person’s legs in a natural gait after detecting natural shifts in the person’s balance. The system not only helps people get from one place to another, but it helps to rebuild some of the muscles in a patient’s arms and legs. The system also helps to encourage nerve stimulation which may help the body start to heal.
This therapy may provide hope for many Louisiana residents as they try healing from a spinal cord injury caused by a car accident or other serious accident. The long-term medical costs of these injuries can make therapies, like this one, difficult to afford, however. Those who have suffered from spinal cord injuries should know that a lawsuit can help to cover the costs of these treatments. If the accident was caused by someone’s negligence, the victim may have legal options to help with the financial effects of the injury.
Source: KVUE, “Robotic suit helps spinal cord injury patients walk,” Jim Bergamo, Jan. 20, 2014
