Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to damage inflicted to the spinal cord, whether a direct injury to the cord itself or indirect damage to surrounding tissues, bone or blood vessels. This typically results in weakness or loss of sensation at or below the point of injury, with severity dependant on whether the entire cord is severely damaged (complete) or only partially damaged (incomplete).

As the spinal cord doesn't go below the 1st lumbar vertebra, damage at and below this level does not cause spinal cord injury. It can, however, result in "cauda equina syndrome" which refers to injury to the nerve roots in this area.

It goes without saying that spinal cord injury is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to reduce the long-term effects. Doctors typically employ corticosteroids such as dexamethasone or methylprednisolone to reduce swelling that may damage the spinal cord. In instances in which an accumulation of blood (hematoma) or fluid or the presence of (a) bone fragment(s) causes spinal cord compression treatment is then aimed at intervention such as surgery before total destruction of the nerves of the spine sets in. In some cases this can help reduce or even eliminate paralysis. Ideally, corticosteroids are begun as soon as possible after the injury.

Following medical management of the acute phase, SCI patients then often receive treatment aimed at helping them manage muscle spasms, care of the skin, and bowel and bladder issues. This care frequently encompasses physical and occupational therapies, plus rehabilitation and use of various oral and injected medications to help the patient deal with spasticity and pain.

The question arises, of course, what (if anything) can stem cell therapy afford the SCI sufferer? Both the scientific literature and a substantial volume of case history data from around the world indicates that the use of adult (non-embryonic) stem cells can furnish those with SCI relief and in many instances some recovery of function. During 2009, in fact, a paper appeared in the journal Cell Transplantation (Vol. 17 No.12) in which a team of US and Ecuadorian scientists discussed the impact of autologous (from self) bone marrow stem cells on SCI: As part of their study four acute and four chronic SCI patients received bone marrow stem cells directly into the spinal column, spinal canal and intravenously. They were then tracked for two years using MRI imaging to assess any physical changes in their spinal cords. Bottom line: The researchers found clear evidence of functional improvements, with perhaps the most important being improved bladder control. A lay-level write-up on this particular study can be accessed by clicking this link.

The aforementioned study dovetails perfectly with the responses seen in SCI patients treated with adult stem cells by Fernando Ramirez, M.D. in Mexico. Dr. Ramirez, in fact, has accrued response statistics that indicate that 7 of 10 patients he has injected with adult stem cells (especially cord blood derived ones) have experienced clinical significant improvements in first year following treatment.

For readers interested in learning more about Dr. Ramirez's work with SCI, StemCell.MD works with him and welcomes queries by phone (1-800-288-7016, 8 am to 5 pm Pacific Time) and e-mail (info@stemcell.md.)

In addition, there is a legal autologous bone marrow treatment program here in the USA that is conducted in a very modern, highly progressive clinic located in southern California. According to the medical director, Dr. David Steenblock, these bone marrow treatments have resulted in notable improvements in SCI patients. One recently treated eighteen year old male paraplegic patient, in fact, reported not only feeling better "all over" but happily noted he had regained sensation in various parts of his lower body. You can learn all about the use of autologous bone marrow for SCI by calling 1-949-367-8870 or by using this on-line contact form which can be readily accessed by clicking this link.