Robotic leg approved by FDA for spinal cord injury victims

Any Connecticut resident who has suffered an injury to their spine, knows how dramatically it can affect their daily lives. A spinal cord injury is any injury caused by a jolt or impact to the spinal cord of the victim. The severity of the injury or disability may be determined by the degree of impact and the location where the spinal cord is injured. In many cases, spinal cord injuries render a victim temporarily or permanently paralyzed. Spinal cord injuries impair the neurological functioning of the affected nerves and may cause additional long term effects. Victims often suffer psychological side effects as well.

Recently, federal health regulatory bodies approved a new robotic leg brace that may be beneficial to paralyzed victims. The new product, known as ReWalk, boasts a unique design developed to ensure that victims of paralysis can walk again. The leg brace has motion sensors as well as motorized joints that respond to slight upper body movements to help regain mobility. Crutches can also be used to provide extra stability.

According to recent statistics, the leading cause of spinal cord injuries was found to be motor vehicle accidents. While motor vehicle accidents amount to 46 percent of such injuries, falls account for 22 percent, and sports-related injuries account for 12 percent of spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries are also very costly, with treatments costing anywhere from $500,000 to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the injury.

The victim of spinal cord injury is not left without any recourse however. In such cases, the victim or his family can find professional help to help get compensation for treatment.

Source: CTPost.com, “FDA clears robotic legs for some paralyzed people”, June 27, 2014