Testimonial

Spinal Cord Injury - Quadriplegia

Julie is a 20-year old female, with C5/6 dislocation resulting in quadriplegia. Julie’s injuries were the result of a severe motorcar accident that occurred in April 1998.

She received intensive care for multiply injuries for an eight-week period. C5/6 spinal fusion was performed with an anterior spinal fusion supported by three screw-fixing device.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and physical therapy was commenced initially daily. Chamber sessions were generally one to two 90-minute sessions performed on the same day. Julie began to experience improvement with both bladder and bowel function within six chamber sessions. She reported movement of the toes in her right foot, and the reduction of a pressure sore that had been a concern for several months.

After the 8^th session Julie reported that she could feel her stomach muscles contracting and began experiencing sensation under her rib cage. She states that she is now able to ‘breathe more easily’. She has also recorded some improvement with movement of both her fingers and thumb.

By the 10^th session Julie reports improved circulation to her legs and feet. She states that her skin is not as ‘blotchy’. Julie states that the wound has now begun to fade and disappear. She states that her pressure sore had previously required constant attention and dressing. 

By the 12^th session she reports improvement her stomach muscles enabling her to breathe more easily. She reports that her pressure sore is now half the size it was before commencing treatment. She states that her legs and feet have not been as purple or as cold during the past several days.

By the 15^th session, Julie reports continuing improvement of her stomach muscles, and noticing improvement in her bowel and bladder function. She reports that her breathing has improved considerably, with her ability to exert some force with a cough. She experienced continued improvement with extremity circulation, and her pressure sore had almost completely gone. Julie reports improved fine motor capability of her thumbs and forefinger, and improved ability to support herself with her upper arms. She states that spasms which were previously uncontrolled and uncoordinated now mimic movement. She reports that her foot would now move upwards with her leg following as if attempting to perform the movement voluntarily, where previously the spasms would result in her leg going straight and shaking violently.

By the 25^th session Julie reports continuing improvement with extremity limb function. She could now slightly tense her left calf muscle, and contract her right thigh, calf and buttock muscles. She reports that she could feel her lower spine muscles contract slightly, and experienced improved sensations throughout her body. By the 29^th sessions she states her ability to cough is ’10 times stronger’!

The following is extracted from Julie’s 1999/2000 diary :

“… by the 35^th 90-minute chamber session. Back muscles feel stronger.  My stomach muscles and toes are showing slight improvements. Sensations are beginning to change. My legs feel the urge to move. When I was doing my bed transfer this morning, my leg felt as though it was ready to move. This doesn’t happen all the time.

37^th 90-minute chamber session. I can begin to clinch a fist with my left hand. Movements in my little finger, thumb, pointer and middle fingers have improved slightly. People around me are beginning to notice changes. They are telling me I look healthier, and are beginning to notice the improvement in my hand function. I have more control. My wrists are stronger and movements are gradually coming back. My right leg is showing greater improvements than the left. The circulation has increased. The right leg tends to be warmer.

40^th 90-minute chamber session. All my toes on my right foot moved. This is not consistent. My big toe and second toe move consistently. Thigh and calf muscle flicker consistently on my right leg. On my left leg my big toe and little toe are beginning to move more. I’ve been feeling tired when I come out of the chamber. I’ve noticed an increase in neurogenic pain, this mainly occurs in my feet at night- time. Foot rotations seem to help. Spasms have decreased. When I bypass the catheter the sensation beforehand is stronger.

41^st 90-minute chamber session. Last night all my toes on my right foot moved, the muscle underneath moved also. It was a strong movement it happened consistently until I fell asleep. When they moved up I could feel an upward pull in my ankle and lower leg muscles. My toes on my left leg all moved, they had a strong movement. Bev woke Michael up she was excited.

43^rd 90-minute chamber session. I can feel my pelvic floor muscles. I can squeeze them the tiniest bit. Stomach muscles are becoming stronger. Movement was consistent up until yesterday. My big toe and little toe move and the two toes next to my little toe twitch. I can control the twitch. On my right foot my big toe, second toe and little toe move. The third and fourth toes move also, not as much as the others. My right leg muscles tense consistently but the strength to which they tense varies. My left hand can squeeze more. The warmth in my legs is the significant change. Carers have noticed they aren’t as cold anymore. This shows an increase in circulation.

46^th  90-minute session. This morning I went to the toilet myself! I took senokot and coloxyl last night the same as I do every night before a bowel morning. When I woke this morning I could feel I needed to go to the toilet. It’s being so long since I felt that sensation that I ignored it and still had my carer use a suppository. Five minutes later I felt a strong urge to go to the toilet. The suppository didn’t contribute to this; there wasn’t enough time for it to take effect. It came away separately. Wrist flexion has come back on my right hand. It has been getting stronger. After spasms in my feet, I can move my foot down slightly. This isn’t consistent, however it is happening more frequently.

47^th 90-minute chamber session. Calf and thigh muscle still tense slightly. Spasms are now becoming a partial movement, this happens frequently. Mum noticed the tone in my legs, when she did my exercises. She noticed they are beginning to become firm and they have weight in them now. Pelvic floor muscles are still returning slightly. Stomach muscles have improved. I can breath in easier.

49^th 90-minute chamber session. Circulation is continually improving. Finger movements on my right hand have improved, they all move except for my pointer finger, which the tip of it moves slightly, this is not consistent. The movements on my left hand are not as strong but I can begin to clinch a fist. I have noticed an improvement in stomach muscles. I am now able to do twenty sit- ups opposed to ten. Wrist flexion on my right hand is improving.

51^st 90-minute chamber session. This morning I woke whilst I was still in bed, my bowel was ready to go off. This was about five six o’clock and everybody was still in bed asleep. I tried to wake Mum, but couldn’t. I was able to stop my bowel from going off. I don’t know how I was able to do this, I just was. I’m not sure if it was controlled or not. My pelvic floor muscles are very weak and not consistent.

54^th 90-minute chamber session. My muscles are slowly returning e.g. stomach, calf and thigh muscles. My legs are gradually regaining tone and my right leg muscles are still tensing slightly. All in all I am noticing slow gradual changes. My toes move continuously on my right foot.  My skin has improved dramatically, it isn’t blotchy and I have not any problems with pressure sores. This is a significant indication that circulation is continually improving. Central abdominal muscle is returning slightly. Pelvic floor muscles are more noticeable in my buttocks.

55^th 90-minute chamber session. . I have increased abdominal sensation. I have noticed more sensitivity. I can feel menstrual cramping. I felt as the sensation of needing to empty my bladder. This was strong and was not a spasm. Sensation is becoming stronger when I by-pass the catheter. The tone in my legs are beginning to become more defined. Right leg muscles are tensing slightly stronger and my legs have the urge to move they don’t feel as heavy. Wrist flexion in my right hand is consistent.

56^th 90-minute chamber session. Spasm is more a movement and after the spasm I was able to move my foot twice. The spasm was a quick, swift movement. My foot lifted up followed by my ankle then calf, next my knee and then my thigh. The sensation in my left leg and right foot has changed to slight tingling.

60^th 90-minute chamber session. Increased sensation in bowels, I can now feel a push. Tingles in my feet. I have had more of an appetite over the past few weeks. My legs have being feeling heavy and tired. Circulation is continually improving. There has been an increase in spasms. Hands have neurological pain through the fingers and wrists. Pelvic floor muscles are still slight. Hand function is continually improving. I am able to use more hands rather than the tendisis grip. I can pick objects up easier. My shoulder and upper arms move more easily.

63^rd 90-minute chamber session. I have had the sensation that my bladder is full. This has happened twice. It is a strong sensation.

66^th 90-minute chamber session. Sphincter muscles is becoming stronger. Bladder and bowel sensation is more sensitive. Calf muscle on my left leg has began to tense more firmly and when I tense this muscle I can feel the muscle at the base of my foot and ankle tense also. When I do this the top of my foot tenses. Tone in my legs is becoming more apparent. Circulation has improved and continues to improve. I have not had any problems with my skin, e.g. pressure sores and blotchiness.

67^th 90-minute chamber session. I have noticed an increase in spasm. Spasm is particular in the morning and in my legs rather than my upper body. Toe movement continues to improve. My legs have a heavy sensation and my ankles have a burning sensation.  

70^th 90-minute chamber session. I can control spasms at night more easily. My legs are starting to become restless. Bladder and bowel continue to improve. My hands have still being getting neurogenic pain in them. Finger movement on my right hand is consistent and gradually becoming stronger. I am able to tense my calf muscle in my left leg slightly more. I have not noticed a dramatic difference. My abdominal muscles are slightly noticeable, they are gradually becoming stronger. I am not noticing new improvements however I are noticing the improvements are becoming consistent and stronger….”

Julie states that she now has the ability to ‘hold a pen and sign her name’ and reports ‘sensation to hot and cold water on her lower extremities’.

Comment: Julie is a TAC (Transport Accident Commission) patient - Both the TAC and the VWA (Victorian Workcover Authority) refuse to reimburse any expense associated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Funding for HBOT is restricted to hospital chambers ONLY and limited to only 'limb and or life threatening' disorders. This 'approved' list DOES NOT include Spinal Cord Injury regardless of the change or improvement gained through HBOT treatments!