Incredible! Man regains use of arm due to nerve in leg
- December 27, 2023
- 0
55 year old Italian. regained the ability to use one hand paralyzed due to a nerve transplant in his foot, thanks to a world-first operation at the CTO
55 year old Italian. regained the ability to use one hand paralyzed due to a nerve transplant in his foot, thanks to a world-first operation at the CTO Hospital in Turin, north-west Italy.
According to the organization Citta della Salute, which includes medical centers in Turin, after a traffic accident, a patient suffered an amputation the middle of the left leg and complete damage to the brachial plexus of the left arm.
The procedure followed by doctors, which can be called innovative, included transfer of part of the sciatic nerve from the amputated foot to the upper body.
Now, they explain, “the patient can gradually learn to control the use of the hand: at first he will think about the movements of the foot, but later, thanks to the adaptability of the brain, he will develop a new skill.”
Photo: Archive
The operation, which lasted twelve hours, involved microsurgeons Bruno Battiston and Paolo Titul, as well as neurosurgeons Francesca Vincitorio and Diego Garbossa.The rehabilitation stage will take place under the supervision of specialists. in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
“This procedure is rooted in four years of intensive research, culminating in publication in the prestigious international scientific journal Injury and approval by the Città della Salute Ethics Committee for its clinical application,” they added.
In detail the operation consists of transposition of the sciatic nerve component, the fibular part, which normally controls dorsiflexion of the foot, but was not used due to amputation of the lower leg.
“This targeted nerve transfer from the amputated leg to the paralyzed arm was intended to reinnervate the damaged brachial plexus, paving the way for functional reactivation,” the statement said.
(EFE)
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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