Brazil News
| SALVADOR, Brazil – Six months after receiving transplanted adult stem cells in Salvador, former Military Policeman Major Mauricio Ribeiro took his first, tentative steps. He fell off a roof and spent the last nine years without any movement from the waist down, reported the G1 network on Tuesday.
Policeman takes first steps after 9 years paralysis (photo: g1.globo.com)
“I took the first step and it felt weird because of nine years without walking and suddenly I realize that I was able to do this on my own legs. So it was a great feeling,” a thrilled Mauricio told G1.
Paralyzed Man Walks after Adult Stem Cell Treatment in Salvador Bahia
The surgery was performed after five years of research. In the procedure, doctors removed mesenchymal stem cells from the patient's own hip bone, which have a greater capacity to develop into different tissue types, and injected it directly into his spine where it was injured.
The technique was pioneered in Brazil and was developed by scientists at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in the laboratory of the Hospital Sao Rafael, Salvador—one of the most advanced stem cell therapy centers in Latin America. Two months after surgery, Mauricio is still teetering on his legs but has been able to pedal an exercise bike during his rehabilitation. Doctors don't yet know if he and the other 19 patients undergoing the same treatment will go back to walking normally, but the results look promising.
“It's very rewarding, not only that, but to know that this is only the tip of the iceberg, with the positive results we can expand this technique to a larger number of patients in the future, and continue researching ways to improve it,” neurosurgeon Marcus Vinicius said.
“When he had this surgery, I was sure that God was with us and that he would walk,” said Marcia Ribeiro, wife of Mauricio.
“For those who had no prospect, and now have the prospect of being a walker, taking the first steps, it is a great sign of things that are happening, and I think, things can only move forward and improve from here,” expects Mauricio.
Read also: More Articles from Brazil Dispatch
Brazilian online news source for this article: G1 Bahia
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