Serious Injury Law - Serious Injury News

Spinal injury surgery sees hand function returned to paralysed man

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:04:07 PDT

Spinal injury surgery sees hand function returned to paralysed man

A man left paralysed from the waist down by a spinal cord injury has had partial function restored to both hands thanks to surgeons in the US.

Medical experts from Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis used a peripheral nerve transfer to bypass the damaged C-7 vertebra.

Since sustaining multiple injuries in a motor vehicle accident two years earlier, the 71-year-old had been unable to flex and extend his fingers.

Dr Wilson Ray, who helped compile the case report, commented after the surgery: "Nerve transfers, especially in a subset of the spinal cord injury population, could provide substantial improvements in both quality of life and functional independence."

Eight months after the operation, the patient was able to move his thumb, index and middle fingers on his left hand and similar improvements were noted in his right hand two months later.

The surgery comes after research conducted at Toronto's Krembil Neuroscience Centre in Canada by Dr Michael Fehlings revealed admitting spinal injury victims for treatment within 24 hours of an accident can help reduce the chance of paralysis.

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Posted by Matthew Heap

Heavy school bags 'causing spinal injuries in children'

Tue, 15 May 2012 02:00:19 PDT

Heavy school bags 'causing spinal injuries in children'

Increasing numbers of children are being treated for spinal injuries caused by carrying heavy loads on their backs.

This is according to vice-president of Backcare Dr Peter Skew, who explained in an interview with the Daily Mail how youngsters are susceptible to long-term trouble as their spines are still developing.

"Having a heavy bag slung over one shoulder can exert unnatural force on the spine, muscles and attachments," he stated.

According to Backcare, 80 per cent of children regularly carry bags that are up to 20 per cent of their body weight on their backs.

Dr Shaw claimed schools are the worst environment for creating back problems as picking up and swinging a heavy backpack on to the shoulders multiple times a day is "potentially more damaging" than carrying a load for a long period.

Backcare was founded in 1968 by chronic sufferer Stanley Grundy and counts Prince Charles as its patron.

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Posted by John Sherrington

Brain surgery tweeted live in the US

Mon, 14 May 2012 02:08:28 PDT

Brain surgery tweeted live in the US

Doctors in the US successfully performed brain surgery on a young woman with live tweets, graphic videos and photos, as well as up-to-the-minute commentary, sent out so people could follow the procedure in real-time.

Dr Dong Kim led the surgery at Houston's Memorial hospital, which saw a 21-year-old girl have a tumour removed while millions of individuals from across the globe looked on.

According to the Daily Mail, the benign mass was taken from her posterior right temporal lobe and required a two inch by two inch hole to be made in the patient's skull.

A statement from the hospital said: "Our goal of performing this surgery live via Twitter is to educate the general public about brain tumours and take them into the operating room to see what happens during a brain surgery."

The move may pave the way for procedures performed on brain injury victims to be streamed live in the future, so as to provide people with a greater insight into the world of surgery and brain function.

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Posted by Paul Breen

Spinal injury victim calls for better hospital care

Fri, 11 May 2012 02:07:52 PDT

Spinal injury victim calls for better hospital care

A man left paralysed after a hospital misdiagnosed a spinal injury has called for lessons to be learned from his experience.

Andrew Downes was told he had a urine infection after seeking medical treatment for severe back pain, but it was later discovered he had a fractured spine.

Due to the delay in appropriate care the 61-year-old's symptoms progressed into a complete spinal cord injury and he lost all feelings in both legs, leaving him wheelchair bound.

Mr Downes was incorrectly diagnosed at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and the local NHS Trust has now admitted a catalogue of errors in his care.

Commenting, the international composer said: "Now that the trust has admitted their mistakes I just hope they take note and improve their care in future. I wouldn't want anyone to experience what I am going through."

Symptoms of urine infections are usually a pain or burning sensation when urinating, a need to do so often and pain in the lower abdomen.

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Posted by Timothy Walters

Brain injury experts to gather at Welsh conference

Thu, 10 May 2012 02:11:43 PDT

Brain injury experts to gather at Welsh conference

Swansea is set to host a brain injury conference attended by experts from across the UK, who will meet to discuss the latest developments in the field.

The South Wales Evening Post reports how the event on May 18th will coincide with Brain Injury Awareness Week, which starts on May 14th.

Specialists will attend the second annual South Wales Neuro-rehabilitation Conference at the Liberty Stadium.

Among the topics to be discussed are the challenges facing brain injury survivors and the development of neuro-rehabilitation advances.

Rodger Wood, professor of neuropsychology at Swansea University and honorary consultant clinical neuropsychologist at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals, said: "We are lucky to have some excellent neuro- rehabilitation professionals working right on our doorstep.

"I would encourage anyone who is involved in any aspect of neurological trauma to attend the day of seminars."

The Brain Injury Association Headway has asked supporters to don "weird and wonderful hats" to support Brain Injury Week and raise money for the charity.

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Posted by Matthew Dixon

Spinal injury victim to compete in 4 marathons

Wed, 09 May 2012 02:08:31 PDT

Spinal injury victim to compete in 4 marathons

Despite suffering a spinal injury that almost left her paralysed, a woman from Stratford-upon-Avon is set to complete four marathons.

Melissa Shawcross fractured her spine in five places when she fell from a horse and was trapped underneath the animal, the Sun reports.

Upon admission to Warwick hospital, the rider was warned she may never walk again due to the extent of her injuries.

"I was determined to get back on a horse though - and just a few months after the accident, I got one of my friends to help me back on my own horse," Ms Shawcross stated.

The 26-year-old is now planning to enter four marathons and four half marathons in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund, which helps people who have sustained life-changing injuries through riding accidents.

According to the charity, individuals are 20 times more likely to have an incident on a horse than on a motorbike.

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Posted by John Sherrington

Celebrities call for spinal injury sufferer to receive marathon medal

Tue, 08 May 2012 02:00:59 PDT

Celebrities call for spinal injury sufferer to receive marathon medal

Scores of celebrities have backed a campaign calling for spinal injury sufferer Claire Lomas to receive a medal when she completes her attempt to walk the London Marathon.

The former champion event rider is expected to cross the finish line today (May 8th), 17 days after the event started, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Thanks to a robotic suit, Ms Lomas has been able to overcome her paralysis to attempt the feat, with the device supporting her legs and hips.

Organisers of the Virgin London Marathon are refusing to recognise the entrant's attempt as an official finish due to it failing to fall within the 18:00 BST cut-off on the day of the race.

However, four-time Olympic Gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent has called for a 2012 runner to donate their medal to Ms Lomas.

The determined mother-of-one is due to complete her marathon at 12.30 BST, with dozens of people expected to turn out and watch Ms Lomas cross the finish line.

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Posted by Timothy Walters

Paralysed goalkeeper offered support on return to pitch

Fri, 04 May 2012 02:01:56 PDT

Paralysed goalkeeper offered support on return to pitch

A footballer who suffered a severe spinal injury that left him paralysed has received support from fans and teammates as he retuned to the pitch for the first time.

Billericay Town goalkeeper Nick Morgan made an appearance at his side's ground to watch the team play their final game of the season in the Ryman Premier League against Lowestoft Town, in which they were crowned champions, the Brentwood Gazette reported.

The 26-year-old needed just the aid of a stick as he walked on to the field and was given a rapturous welcome by players and supporters.

Collecting his championship medal alongside his teammates, Morgan said he was delighted by the fantastic reception he received.

"It has been really good to get back and see everyone and I've been given such a warm welcome," he said.

His next steps will be to get back behind the wheel of a car and return to work, while he has refused to rule out a coming back to football if his recovery continues to go well.

Elsewhere, Aberdeen player Jamie Langfield recently returned to action 11 months after suffering a brain injury, despite fears he would not be able to play again.

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Posted by Timothy Walters
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Spinal injury victim overcomes injury to become fundraiser

Thu, 03 May 2012 02:05:48 PDT

Spinal injury victim overcomes injury to become fundraiser

A dedicated fundraiser has fought back against a spinal injury to complete the London Marathon and is already planning her next challenge.

Sally Wilson told Get Reading how she decided to dedicate her time to raising money for charity after fracturing her spine three years ago.

Since recovering from the injury, the 42-year-old has collected more than �26,000 for the not-for-profit organisation Help for Heroes.

Having climbed Snowdon, Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as running the Reading Half Marathon and the London race, Ms Wilson is no stranger to completing gruelling challenges.

However, her next task is to run a marathon on treadmills and a fitness club in just four hours before travelling to Peru to trek the Inca Trail on May 25th.

Describing her experience of the London race, Ms Wilson said: "It was gruelling but I was delighted to cross the line in around seven hours."

Help for Heroes raises money to support members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded in the service of their country.

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Posted by Matthew Dixon

Spinal injury victim appeals for revision of speed limits

Wed, 02 May 2012 02:04:37 PDT

Spinal injury victim appeals for revision of speed limits

A cyclist who suffered a spinal injury after being knocked off his bike is calling for 20mph speed limits to be introduced on Britain's roads.

Dr Donal McNally has spent more than 20 years researching the effect of crashes on the spine and believes forcing drivers to travel slower will help to reduce incidents of serious injury and death.

"If you do have an accident and you hit someone and you are driving more slowly, that means the energies involved are smaller so the severity of the injury does down," he explained.

Dr McNally was left for dead following a hit and run accident in May 2010 and spent months in recovery.

Katharine Amina Choonara pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was disqualified from driving for 18 months and given a 150-hour community service order for knocking Dr McNally off his bike.

Most roads in the UK currently have a 30mph speed limit unless otherwise stated.

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Posted by Timothy Walters