A new study finds that cells derived from a patient’s own fat can help patients with spinal cord personal injury experience sensation and movement in the affected areas.
Stem cell therapies have been a major part of breakthrough research into spinal cord personal injury treatment over the past few years. The findings of a recent study were published in the journal Nature Communications. A clinical trial on 10 patients found significant improvement in functions like movement, after treatment with stem cells taken from the patient’s own fat.
Out of the 10 participants in the clinical trial, the researchers found that seven subjects exhibited significant improvements in their symptoms. These improvements were measured according to the American Spinal injury Association Impairment Scale. The researchers found improvements in sensation in the affected areas against testing with light touches. Participants also exhibited improvements in motor strength. Patients with spinal cord personal injuries may also suffer from failure to control bowel and bladder movements and, in the study, participants were able to recover voluntary anal contractions which can be predictive of improvement in bowel functions.
While 7 of the participants in the clinical trial reported improvements at least one step above their previous level on the impairment scale, three patients showed no improvement. Most importantly, none of the participants suffered from any side effects.
All of these findings point to potentially significant improvement in the quality of life of persons with spinal cord injury which makes the findings of the clinical trial especially exciting. The researchers are also encouraged by the findings of their clinical trial, and believe that stem cell therapies when used in conjunction with a number of other treatments can possibly point to the way forward for better outcomes for persons who have suffered spinal cord injury in car accidents, and struggle with limited motion and movement.
There has been a lot of excitement around the benefits of stem cell therapies in the treatment of patients who have suffered these personal injuries. In this case as well, researchers are currently in the process of assessing the benefits of these therapies on a larger group of subjects.
There is no complete cure for a spinal cord personal injuries, but therapy that can lead to improvements in sensation, mobility, movement and control over bladder and bowel movements can significantly improve quality of life for persons who have to live with these impairments.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in an auto accident, talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for damages that include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering and other forms of compensation. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.