Claire's SCI Blog

Condition before and after last treatment

December 14th, 2009

So I had my first treatment for this round on friday, and all went well. But I thought it would be worth stating my condition before and after my previous treatment for anyone who doesn’t know:

I had my spinal injury at the end of 2005 when I was 18, suffering a burst compression fracture of L1. I spent 6 months in hospital and rehab, emerging in a wheelchair. I then spent the next 3 years learning to walk with what muscles I had left using ankle splints and two walking sticks. I also had severe tone which led to ankle contractures at about the 18 month point, so I had surgery to lengthen my achilles tendons, but still had lots of lower limb spasticity.

prior to my first stemcell treatment: I was three years post-injury. My injury was assesed as L1 ASIA A incomplete. My motor function was classed L2 and sensory level at L3.

I had no bladder or bowel function/ control. I had no movement below the knees, and significant weakness and paralysis in glutes, hamstrings, hips and abductor muscles. I had normal strength and sensation in knees, quads, adductors, abdominal and back muscles.
I had no sensation besides pressure below the knees and at the backs of my legs and my buttocks.
I had limited sweat function in lower limbs.
I could walk with the aid of two walking sticks and two ankle-foot orthosis (AFOs).
I did physiotherapy three times per week.

Improvements after my first stemcell treatment: While still in hospital I regained some movement in my left ankle and toes (plantar and dorsi-flexion) and regained about 4cm normal sensation below my left knee, and about 2.5cm of normal sensation below the knee on my right.
On returning home I have noticed a significant decrease in lower limb spasticity and have been able to stop taking baclofen
I have also regained normal sweat function in lower limbs (welcome back sweaty socks!)

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