HAL in 2018

Assistive devices have been gaining a lot of ground recently - literally, in some cases.  HAL, a “hybrid assistive limb” developed by the Japanese company Cyberdyne, is one of the latest of these devices.  However, HAL is a bit different from most robotic legs.  Instead of walking for you, it relies on your brain to do the work.  HAL is designed to respond to the wearer’s intended motion.  This means that when you think about wanting to walk, sensors connected to HAL detect signals sent from your brain to the muscles that are trying to help you take steps.  When the robotic legs walk with you as your brain sends the signals, the correct signals for your own walking are reinforced (see a visual at Cyberdyne's website here).

This is a way of taking bio-feedback to a practical level.  Part of the challenge in recovering from spinal cord injuries is retracing neural pathways.  The brain needs to be guided back to finding the correct responses.  In other words, when you see your limb moving as you are commanding it to move, your brain comes closer to detecting what signals actually make that movement happen.   

HAL has just recently been tested in the United States.  It was approved for use by the FDA in December 2017.  Swedish Medical Center in Seattle is the first place to try HAL, and users there have seen good results so far.  The trend is likely to continue.  The more this type of technology becomes available, the more potential for neurological improvement and recovery after SCIs. 

Graduation Note

A short note of congratulations to graduates Ty Williams and Greg Murphy!  Each one has a spinal cord injury but used leg braces to walk across the stage for his diploma.  Much harder than it looks. 

Video Update

A video update (May 2018): walking outside

April 2014 vs. April 2018

The road to recovery after a spinal cord injury can seem very long and arduous.  Time may fly when you’re having fun, but it can also fly when you’re frustrated.  It is not always easy for others to understand that the injury has not gone away, even though time has passed.  Likewise, it is not always easy for someone with an injury to remember that others do not live the daily details of spinal cord injury.

What about living with a spinal cord injury?  For most people, a SCI affects everything.  I am very grateful to see returns coming more than four years after the initial accident.  Still, even with such return, functional changes do not necessarily come quickly.  In the meantime, there are many unseen issues to be dealt with - for instance, temperature regulation, especially as the weather grows warmer; skin protection, since blood does not circulate properly and tiny scratches can become problematic; or osteoporosis, when lack of weight-bearing or body function/ awareness causes bones to become weak.  Temperature problems mean being careful to avoid heatstroke or frostbite in the most unlikeliest settings.  Skin care involves being aware of bunched clothing in the day and getting up every few hours to move around in the night.  Osteoporosis potentially leads to broken bones.  (Unfortunately, I have more to say about that: another post and another time.)  Temperature, skin, and bone concerns are only three of those that come with a spinal cord injury.  Others are much more personal and require time, energy, and attention to scheduling.  In other words, mobility is one challenge among many.

No, the point of this particular post is not to a) frighten, b) discourage, or c) disappoint.  It is d) none of the above.  I hope that this blog offers realistic information and practical insight about these challenges.  Awareness goes a long way.  I always intend each post and every part of this blog to be a source of evidence-based encouragement.  Toward that end: it has been a while since a compare-and-contrast post.  Exactly four years ago, I was learning to take small steps backward (on carpet) using ACL leg supports and a rolling walker.  Backward movement was easier and my hip muscles were only beginning to respond again.  Today I walk at least a mile each day, and am on the cusp of switching from long knee brace and ankle brace to AFO/ ankle bracing only.  Every day is another step in the right direction.

Boston Marathon Afterthought

Thomas Smith (paralyzed three times and walking again; see previous post) finished the Boston Marathon as planned!  26.2 miles. 

Standing Exercises (Video Update)

Another recent video.  While my knees and lower body in general are coming back, progressing out of leg braces to standing without support has been very tricky.  What this video shows, I think, is that I'm edging closer to the goal of standing hands-free - and ever closer to dropping the braces.  I do have some lower leg support here, but it is a) at the shins, and no longer above the knees; and b) more minimal than it has been. 

Ty-Juan Preer, Taking More Steps to Recovery

Last year I linked to the story of Ty-Juan Preer, learning to walk again after a spinal cord injury.  As a follow-up, Ty-Juan is now 11 years old and making good progress.