More On Cerebral Palsy & Baclofen
In June, we reported on a new implantable device that may return controlled movement to the arms and legs of children with Cerebral Palsy.
How are two teenagers who got the implants doing four months later? Doctors at Primary Children's Hospital call the results "amazing."
Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports.
Primary Children's has only implanted this device in a handful of kids so far. But these two latest implants occurred in patients with extremely different levels of Cerebral Palsy.
15-year-old Ashley Taylor was wheelchair bound, but look at her now.
After preliminary tests in June, doctors at Primary Children's implanted a hockey-sized pump. It automatically injects a new medication called baclofen directly into her spinal fluid.
DEANNE TAYLOR, ASHLEY'S MOTHER: "AND SHE JUST WALKS ACROSS, AND MY HUSBAND AND I ARE BOTH LOOKING AT EACH OTHER AND - 'DID YOU JUST SEE THAT?' WITHOUT TRYING TO MAKE THIS BIG FUSS. AND SHE JUST WALKS LIKE OTHER KIDS ACROSS THE KITCHEN."
Amazing.
Wait until you see 15-year-old Tyler Kane. He too has an implanted pump. Six months ago, he couldn't do this. In his wheelchair now, he rotates and pulls homework out of his backpack.
MATT KANE, TYLER'S FATHER: "WE WERE ABLE TO GET A RANGE OF MOTION AND ROTATION THAT HE HAD NEVER ACHIEVED SINCE HE WAS AN INFANT."
Tyler's cerebral palsy is worse than Ashley's. But still he has more control of his muscles.
He no longer drools. And his speech - though unintelligible before - is gradually getting clearer.
"I CAN GO TO THE BATHROOM BY MYSELF. GO TO THE BATHROOM BY YOURSELF. I CAN'T FEEL PAIN. NO..NO PAIN."
"WE GOT UP ONE MORNING. HE HAD GOT HIMSELF OUT OF BED, GOT SOME CLOTHES OUT OF HIS DRESSER AND A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT OUT OF HIS CLOSET AND HAD HIMSELF DRESSED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HIS SHOES, WAITING FOR HIS MOTHER AND I TO COME GET HIM OUT OF BED AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING."
Ashley's feet and toes were once twisted and crippled. But as she continues rehab with Dr. Judy Gooch, strength and coordination will replace spascicity. Neurosurgeon, Dr. Marion Walker likes what he sees.
MARION WALKER, M.D., NEUROLOGIST, PCMC: "HER GAIT IS GOING TO IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY - THAT IS HER WALKING."
"I SEE HER BEING ABLE TO WALK WITHOUT A CHAIR."
Ashley and Tyler have never been so happy. Life is changing for both of them. Their parents call it sort of a reawakening!
"I WOULD LIKE TO ROLLERBLADE." (LAUGHS)
The pump is not a cure for C.P. and it doesn't have the same results for all patients. But as it delivers baclofen continuously to the spinal fluid, neurologists believe it might provide a permanent fix for some patients.
