A Recovery Story!

Another recovery story - the best kind to post.  Almost four years after his spinal cord injury, David Murphy is walking again.  Now he’s preparing to walk a 5K in a fundraiser to help others.

Paralyzed Graduates Walk Across the Stage

Congratulations to Sean Mahoney and Garrett Bazany!  These two 2017 graduates defied spinal cord injuries to literally walk across the stage for their diplomas.  

3D Printing Again (A.K.A., Return to the Third Dimension?)

A few weeks ago I posted on 3D printing.  Soon after that came this other example of the fascinating work being done with this technology.  Surgeons in India created a titanium implant to replace a young woman’s damaged vertebrae.  A ten-hour surgery saved this woman from either early death or a lifetime of paralysis due to tuberculosis!

The Story of Patrick Rummerfield

It's always good to see stories about recovery and physical progress after a SCI.  One of the most outstanding and inspirational accounts is that of Patrick Rummerfield, called the "world's first fully functioning quadriplegic."  He spent many years in therapy after he was injured in 1974, and has had many notable accomplishments since then - on his feet and behind the wheel of a race car.  He walks, runs, and works to help others with spinal cord injuries.  Thank you to Patrick Rummerfield for not giving up and for continuing to share this encouraging story!

Does It Hurt? About SCIs and Pain

Did you know that a spinal cord injury can cause pain?  People who ask are often surprised to learn that a SCI in some cases means extreme nerve, musculoskeletal, and/ or other types of pain.  Neuropathy, or nerve pain, can be described as a relentless burning, stabbing, and/ or aching feeling that occurs just about anywhere in the body, depending on the level of injury.  Not everyone has it, but it can be debilitating.  I have had it consistently since my injury and can attest to how overwhelming nerve pain is.  It’s probably one of multiple reasons that the average employment rate after SCI is an estimated 35%.  Painkillers are not necessarily effective treatment for pain.  For me, medication (including morphine) never worked as a preventative.  Active movement has been the best help.  Since that’s not always possible for everybody, other ideas are B vitamins like B1, B6, and B12; fish oil supplements such as DHA; essential oils; and diet changes.  Like the actual injury, it’s different for everyone.

Exoskeletons for Veterans

At the end of 2015, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs approved issuing ReWalk exoskeletons to certain paralyzed veterans.  So far 96 people have been identified as potential candidates for the ReWalk, but this article notes that it is possible that approximately 10,000 veterans could qualify to take an exoskeleton home.  

This is an exciting opportunity for those who are approved.  Having a ReWalk at home offers recipients the chance to improve their mobility and perhaps also their health, and possibly to avoid some of the many pitfalls that come with prolonged sitting.  It can mean progress towards recovery, or greater long-term wellness - more time out of the medical system and maybe even out in the community.  

It’s a small but hopefully meaningful way to help our veterans.  

From the Third Dimension

Curious about three-dimensional printing?  3D printing has been an exciting development for many reasons, but here’s a very functional way to put a 3D printer to use: medical aids and orthotics.  The VA has begun to use the technology to design braces, splits, and assistive devices.  Printed titanium joints may be soon to come.  An industrial designer named Or Steiner has already drawn attention for creating lightweight KAFOs with a Stratasys 3D printing system - but he didn’t stop at the concept stage.  He actually printed personalized, functional bracing for a specific user.  If you weren't interested in 3D prints before, maybe this is a good incentive to learn more.