June 26, 2000
For the first time, a new
implantable pump is giving
children with cerebral palsy
controlled movement in their
arms and legs again.
Science
Specialist Ed Yeates was at Primary Children's
Hospital as two teens were tested for this dramatic
new procedure.
Fourteen-year-old Tyler Kane, and 15-year-old
Ashley Taylor received test injections to see if they're
eligible for an implant of this new hockey puck-sized
pump.
It automatically injects a new medication called
baclofen directly into the spinal fluid.
If he gets the implant, Tyler has a dream.
TYLER KANE: "I WOULD TRAVEL. I
WOULD GO TO NEW YORK AND BROADWAY -
AND MINNESOTA."
In Tyler's case, the muscles are so stiff and spastic
they hardly move. Doctor Judy Gooch feels the
tightness.
"TRY TO BEND IT. BEND IT THAT WAY."
During test injections, the kids are given a high dose of
baclofen all at once to see how fast it produces
change. Tyler's father would just like to see his boy
stop hurting.
MATT KANE, TYLER'S FATHER: "HE
CRIES TO ME EVERY DAY, 'MY HIPS ARE
HURTING, MY HIPS ARE HURTING, MY
KNEES ARE HURTING.' AND YOU REALLY
CAN'T DO MUCH FOR HIM."
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "TWO
AND A HALF HOURS LATER, THE SAME
THERAPISTS AND DOCTORS ARE BACK IN
THE ROOMS WITH BOTH TYLER HERE AND
ASHLEY NEXT DOOR. THEY GO THROUGH
THE SAME RANGE OF MOTION, BUT NOW
WHAT A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE."
For the most part, Tyler's muscles are no longer stiff
and spastic. In fact, his mother hasn't seen anything
like this before.
BONNIE KANE, TYLER'S MOTHER: "I
HAVEN'T SEEN A RANGE OF MOTION LIKE
THIS ON HIM SINCE HE WAS BORN. HE'S
NEVER HAD THE ABILITY TO RANGE HIS
HIPS AND FLEX THE WAY HE'S DOING
NOW. NEVER, EVER. NOT EVER."
The baclofen reaches its peak in about three hours,
then rapidly wears off. But once a pump is implanted,
the compound is delivered to the spinal fluid
continuously, producing a permanent fix.
MARION WALKER, M.D., NEUROGSURGEON,
PCMC: "IT'S GREAT. IT MAKES A HUGE
DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF THESE
CHILDREN."
After the test injection, Tyler can flex his arms and legs
like never before, and stand - pushing his weight on
his knees. As Ashley walks gingerly down the hall, she
feels something she's never felt before.
"THAT MY LEGS ARE MORE RELAXED."
Ashley and Tyler look like good candidates for the
pumps. If indeed they are, they could get their
implants this September.
