New Delhi: Anil Kumar, a resident of Delhi, broke his spine when he received a shock from live electricity wire and fell from the third floor. He lost sensation in both his legs and control of passing urine and feces.
However, after a surgery and dedicated comprehensive rehabilitation, his health improved soon enough. Even though he is wheelchair bound, he has not only returned to work, but also is a member of the wheelchair basketball team. While negligence and vehicular accidents cause the highest number of spinal trauma cases, doctors in the capital said proper around 55 per cent paraplegic patients can now hope to join active workforce thanks to the new therapy.
“Comprehensive rehabilitation is the key to recovery of a spinal injury patient. This involves multiple therapies from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychosocial counseling, peer counseling and creating appropriate assistive technology to help the patient lead an independent and active lifestyle,” said Dr H.S. Chhabra, secretary, Spinal Cord Society and medical director, India Spinal Injuries Centre.
Speaking at International Spine and Spinal Injuries Conference-2017 recently, Dr Chhabra said, “Reintegrating such patients into the mainstream is a challenge in India and other underdeveoped countries due to lack of quality rehabilitation facilities and absence of assistive technology.”
Highlighting the need to provide survivors with rehabilitative care and treatment options, he stressed on penetration of latest technology, post-surgery rehabilitative care and access to cheaper loans to poor patients.
