Some people who have suffered with a spinal cord injury may heal eventually. For many, unfortunately, healing never occurs, and they find themselves permanently paralyzed. Whether sustained in a fall or a crash, a spinal cord injury is incredibly serious and not something to be taken lightly. Medical researchers understand this and have been busy coming up with new technology that could help spinal cord injury victims.
Scientists have learned that when sections of spinal tissue are placed just millimeters apart in a culture dish, their neurons will reconnect given a bit of assistance. This assistance comes in the form of a tiny structure comprised of nanotubes. When inserted into rat brains, the structure is tolerated well. This breakthrough means that people who have suffered spinal cord injuries may be able to receive therapies that can help to reconnect the neurons in their spine, enabling them to perform as they did prior to being injured.
Because of this breakthrough, more studies are being developed to discover if there are other ways in which neurons can be encouraged to reconnect or regenerate. The implications of the research may reach beyond spinal cord injury victims in the future. Neuroscientists do point out that the studies have only been conducted in rats thus far, and that further studies in real-world scenarios need to be conducted before they can call the technology a sure thing.
Even if the future of this medical technology is not certain, one thing is: The future may be changing for those who have suffered with spinal cord injuries.
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice in Charleston that resulted in a spinal cord injury, or if you are unsure whether or not you have a case, please call our office. A member of our team will speak to you at no cost and advise you of your options depending on your unique situation. Call us today or browse our website for more information about our firm and the types of cases we handle.
