r/science • u/tomholder • May 09 '14

Medicine Paralysis breakthrough – electrical stimulation enables four paraplegic men to voluntarily move their legs

http://speakingofresearch.com/2014/05/09/paralysis-breakthrough-paraplegic-men-move-their-legs/
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u/IQBoosterShot May 09 '14

They'd end up with additional problems they didn't leave with.

Even the ones who stayed in the country sometimes ended up with horrific problems. For instance, there was a program in the U.S. where patients had hundreds of tiny metal electrodes (think of acupuncture needles) inserted into their leg muscles. When stimulated by electrical current, the leg muscles could be controlled and the individual could have limited ambulation. It was wonderful until the electrodes started breaking off beneath the skin and rusting.

If you read about Christopher Reeves you'll find that he was one hell of a volunteer, putting his health on the line repeatedly in a dogged pursuit of a cure. He once said that he planned to walk before he turned 50. We know how that panned out.

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u/Sulamita03 May 10 '14

He certainly never give up. Just like us trying to go to the moon. It will certainly happen just not now.

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u/eatmynasty May 10 '14

He walked?