The goal of any patient with a spinal cord injury is to walk again and many rely on braces, walkers or canes with varying degrees of success.
But, as Rachel Oesch reports, University of Florida researchers are studying a different kind of walking rehab to help patients move more naturally.
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In the past two years, 61-year old Paul Schauble has re-learned how to walk... twice. A partial spinal cord injury left him with virtually no feeling from his lower torso down. First, traditional physical therapy got him moving.
Paul Schauble, Spinal Cord Injury Patient. "I was getting around but it was very awkward. I had adjusted to what I had to do to get up and move but it, it I looked a lot like my year and a half old granddaughter." "Thump, thump, thump."
Then as part of a study, Paul learned a second strategy for walking. Supported by a body weight harness, he "steps" on a treadmill while trainers help him get the body positions that most closely resemble normal walking.
Dr. Andrea Behrman, Neuro-Rehabilitation Specialist. "What we're trying to do here is provide the spinal cord with a very clear picture of walking, a very focused picture. And what we're trying to do is feed that spinal cord sensory information about walking." Paul learned to walk using his spinal cord more than his brain.
Dr. Andrea Behrman, Neuro-Rehabilitation Specialist. "So the signals from the brain down may be damaged but the signals from the legs back to the spinal cord back to the legs is still intact. And if you can use that information, that circuitry to generate a pattern of walking, you can retrain walking." While some in the study didn't respond as well, today Paul is more mobile than ever.
Paul Schauble, Spinal Cord Injury Patient. "In fact, around the office or around my home I, I don't use a cane. I can get around without it." He re-trained his body to walk more naturally.
The doctor says this research may one day lead to new rehabilitation strategies to get more patients with spinal cord injuries walking again. The studies are funded in part by the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation.