Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Injury Is Gaining Traction, Giving Hope to Personal Injury Victims

Spinal cord injuries can range greatly in severity and have the potential to completely upend an innocent victim’s life. They may be unable to drive, lose sensation throughout parts of their body, and be unable to control their elimination. In the severest of cases, victims are no longer able to feed or dress themselves and may even need assistance breathing from machines. Their quality (and often quantity) of life are significantly diminished. Yet, there could be hope on the horizon – a stem cell treatment that may give them back at least some function in their arms and/or hands.

Cervical spinal injuries are those that occur closer to the head. Those who suffer injuries to this part of the body have the highest level of paralysis or loss of feeling in their bodies (loss of function or feeling can vary, depending on whether the injury is complete or incomplete). Usually, they are unable to control their bladder or bowels, and they may even experience difficulty breathing. Life expectancy is also often diminished, partly because their internal organs may not function as they should, but also because of their loss of mobility.

Two separate studies – one on mice, the other on humans – have recently experienced success when using stem cell therapy. The animal study was able to regenerate mature nerve cells in the spinal cord while the human study has helped five spinal cord injury victims regain some motor function of their arms and hands. Though still a long way off from being available to the general population, both indicate there may soon be hope for those that have suffered catastrophic injuries in an accident.

Returning mobility, even marginally, might not seem like much to someone who has complete function of their body. Yet, for those that are suffering from severe paralysis, even just the slightest bit of improvement is progress. The human study suggests that, at the very least, victims may one day be able to self-feed and self-dress. Some may even be able to use a motorized wheelchair to help them get around. As a result, they may experience fewer symptoms of depression and hopelessness. In short, they may be able to experience life again outside of a bed.

If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal injury in an accident, contact Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, L.L.P today. Our seasoned San Jose, California catastrophic injury lawyers will help you fight for the compensation that you deserve. We will advocate for you, every step of the way. Call (408) 289-1417 for your consultation.

• Regeneration of spinal nerve cells boosted
• Stem cells giving new hope to spinal cord injury patients
• Spinal Cord Injury Levels & Classification