REASON FOR TREATMENT:One night as Cartaze was heading home from a party, he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed his car into a tree. The injuries he sustained resulted in paralysis from the waist down. Doctors at home were not at all optimistic about his condition and not even physical therapy was made available to him. Cartaze however still had hope of some improvement and decided to come to China for stem cell treatment.
DIAGNOSIS: Spinal Cord Injury (Cervical segments)
BEGINNING OF TREATMENT: July 17, 2007
TREATMENT:
CONDITION BEFORE THE TREATMENT:
From the time of Cartaze's accident until his arrival in Beijing, Cartaze had been confined to a bed. On arrival in Beijing, it was discovered that he had developed large bedsores and sheet burns on both his legs which had become seriously infected. Because of this, he had suffered third degree burn wounds on the lower parts of his legs. Since he had lost sensation due to the accident, he was unable to feel that the injury was so bad.
On arrival in China, the muscles in both hands and his legs had wasted away and the joints of his fingers and wrists were all rigid. This meant that doing chores was extremely difficult for him and he needed much assistance during his daily life. The motor range of his shoulders was also limited; he could not lift his arms higher than his head. The muscles of his arms were also very weak and there was no strength in his legs muscles, making it impossible for Cartaze to walk by himself. He could not move any part of his legs, even with effort.
AFTER THE TREATMENT:
after 3 weeks treatment
Cartaze noticed an improvement very soon after he arrived, the burn wounds and the bedsores healed up and the infection which had spread to a large percent of his body was treated. After recovery from his disease, he felt that he was stronger than before. After his second stem cell implantation, the muscles of his right hand, arms and legs became stronger than before and he was able to do more things for himself. He can now move right hand more freely. The muscles of his wrist and fingers are suppler than before and the wrist joint and shoulder joint are not as rigid as they were. His motor range is larger than before; he can lift his arms easily and do a circle movement easily. The fingers can move in a more flexible way than before making it easier for him to lift a cup and drink or put his glasses on. Now he can type on the computer with his little finger. After the stem cell treatment, he had more sensation in his body; before, he only had some sensation in his leg when it was hit very hard, but now he also has sensation when for example the doctor changes the dressing for him. Even though he still can not stand up, he can move his legs and feet a little on his own.
Cartaze has now been at the hospital twice for treatment and feels he is improving greatly each time he is here. During physical therapy he is making great progress and can move himself around more freely than before. He also has sensation when he urinates or has bowel movements. In his legs and feet, his muscles can now contract. Cartaze has strong hope that he will walk someday soon.
after 1, after2
After they had gone back to the USA, his mother sent us several emails updating us on his condition:
"Cartaze can feed himself with his right hand; I am so happy that I made the trip to get help for Cartaze. I am really thankful for the improvements and the progress he is making, hopefully we will be back next year."
October 26, 2007
"Cartaze is getting stronger, he can catch his basketball between his wrists, his right thumbs bend a little, his legs are healing real good, the heels are practically healed."
January 07, 2008
Cartaze can hold his balance when I put him in sitting position, he was not able to that a few weeks ago, and Cartaze pointer finger has been having movement.
January 24, 2008
"Cartaze is coming along really good, with the bed raised-up, he can push himself into a sitting position and hold his balance for quite awhile, he is really getting strong, and his legs are still moving a lot."
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