A new spinal cord stimulation device has helped a woman paralyzed for 12 years regain movement and perform everyday tasks, according to the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Jessie Owen was severely injured and paralyzed below the shoulders in 2012 when a tree fell on her family’s vehicle as they traveled over Stevens Pass.
The accident tragically killed her parents.
After leaving Harborview Medical Center, Owen used a power wheelchair with a chin control. Despite years of therapy, she only regained limited hand function, which allowed her to control her wheelchair with a hand-operated device.
A new opportunity arose when Chet Moritz, a professor at the UW School of Medicine, began a clinical trial for a novel, FDA-approved spinal cord stimulator. The device is designed to help users recover lost movement and function.
“When the stimulator is used in combination with rehabilitation, they regain a tremendous amount of function and dexterity,” Moritz said.
Owen participated in the trial and has seen significant improvements. She can now do things like open jars and tie her shoes.
Since her injury, Owen has also gotten married and given birth to twins.
The treatment will soon be available at Harborview Medical Center for individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury for more than one year.
“This is the first step in writing a new chapter in spinal-cord injury research,” Owen said.
Moritz’s team is currently researching how the device can be used at home by patients.
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