Spine implant offer now set to hope as Parkinson’s solution
LOS ANGELES: The first person with Parkinson’s to be fitted with a spinal implant that helps him to walk has described how the potentially game-changing technology has “profoundly improved” his life.
Mobility problems affect about 90 per cent of Parkinson’s patients and include muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, freezing of gait, problems starting and stopping movement and instability.
Marc Gautier, 63, was diagnosed with the condition 28 years ago and it has gradually reduced his mobility over time. He would frequently “freeze” while trying to take a step and often lost his balance.
The spinal cord implants bringing hope to Parkinson sufferers
“I could not walk any more without falling frequently, several times a day. In some situations, such as entering a lift, I’d trample on the spot, as though I was frozen there,” he said.