Road accident victim undergoes spinal cord stimulation electrode implantation

Doctors of MGM Healthcare said they performed a spinal cord stimulation electrode implantation on a 30-year-old man who sustained a major spinal cord injury in a road accident.In this treatment, small electrodes are placed near the spinal cord to deliver controlled electrical impulses, which modulate nerve activity and support the recovery of movement and function.Following the procedure, the patient has shown gradual improvement in hand muscle strength.According to a press release, the patient, an autorickshaw driver from Vellore, had lost movement in both legs and had severely limited movement in his hands below the elbows. Doctors did an MRI scan of the cervical spine to assess the extent of the spinal cord damage following the accident.They confirmed that he had an ASIA Grade B spinal cord injury, indicating a severe injury in which sensation is preserved below the level of injury, but normal motor function is largely absent.Neurological recoveryThe medical team opted for spinal cord stimulation to support neurological recovery. A 16-contact spinal cord stimulation electrode system was implanted, with the electrodes positioned over the dura, the protective outer covering of the spinal cord, at the C5 level of the cervical spine.Currently, the patient has shown improvement in Distal Hand Power by MAR 1 Grade over six months. He will require frequent programming of the spinal cord stimulation electrodes as his neurological function improves, the release said.The procedure was performed by the neurosurgical team comprising Roopesh Kumar, director of neurosurgery, and Ajinkya Rewatkar, consultant-neurosurgeon, MGM Healthcare. Published - September 05, 2026 12:52 am IST