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Earlier this year it was reported that a man who was paralysed after his spinal cord was completely severed in a motorbike accident is now able to walk again after receiving a revolutionary spinal implant.
Michel Roccati had a motorcycle accident 5 years ago, leaving him paralysed with no feeling in his legs at all.
This is the first time that anyone with a completely severed spinal cord has been able to walk freely again. The same technology has also improved the health of another paralysed man.
Researchers say the technology is still very complicated and cannot easily be used in daily life. Nevertheless, recovery is an important milestone in the pursuit to improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI).
How the spinal implant works
When the spinal cord is healthy, it plays an important role in sending signals from the brain to the legs to help us move. When a spine is damaged, these signals are weakened and may not be strong enough to create movement.
As a result, a damaged spinal cord can affect muscle movement, reflexes, sensations, metabolism, bowel and bladder function and more.
Spinal cord injuries can be ‘incomplete’, where the body and brain can still communicate along certain pathways and some function remains. In ‘complete’ spinal injuries, the whole body is affected, causing paralysis.
Spinal injuries are becoming increasingly common. In the UK, there are around 50,000 people living with a spinal cord injury, and someone is paralysed every four hours due to this type of injury.
This latest electrical implant was developed by a team of Swiss researchers. It works by being surgically attached to the spine and boosting the signals in the spinal cord.
Tom Hartigan, Novum Law’s Associate Legal Director and a spinal injury specialist from our Salisbury team, says:
“We have helped and supported many people whose lives have changed dramatically after a spinal cord injury, and we understand the challenges that this brings to everyday life.
“Spinal injuries can affect your work, family, and relationships, and you may not be able to live as independently as you would like.
“The success of this implant is an exciting new development in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Although the technology is very new, it shows that there is some hope for people with spinal injuries and we look forward to hearing more about surgical options for SCI survivors.”
How to get help with a spinal cord injury claim
If you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury through no fault of your own, Novum Law can help you make a claim for personal injury compensation.
Our experienced team of specialist personal injury solicitors can help no matter how complex or challenging the claim is, and we will always work hard to get the maximum compensation, rehabilitation and specialist care you need to move on with your life.
We offer ‘No Win, No Fee’ claims which means no unexpected charges and no financial risk to you in the unlikely event your spinal injury claim is unsuccessful. Contact us on Freephone: 0800 884 0777, email info@novumlaw.com or complete our online enquiry form.
