21-year old University of Alabama student T.J. Atchinson recently received the first embryonic stem cell therapy for a spinal cord injury. The college student’s life changed in September when he was in a car accident and became paralyzed.
After learning the news, doctors also informed Atchinson that he would be a great candidate for stem cell therapy. Researchers have used stem cell therapy on animals and successfully revived their ability to walk.
Atchinson agreed to be the first human patient and had around 2 million stem cells injected into his spinals cord. If the therapy works, the stem cells will become new nerve cells which attach to muscles and a patient would be able to walk again. The procedure was mostly a test to make sure it was a safe therapy, however Atchinson says he already has greater sensation in his legs.
If you or someone you love has suffered from a spinal cord injury resulting in partial or total paralysis, contact the Denver spinal cord injury attorneys of Hull & Zimmerman P.C. at (303) 423-1770 and set up an appointment to meet with one of our lawyers and discuss your situation.
