An Injury Playing Rugby
Michael was a passionate, professional rugby player, until an onfield clash ended that phase of his life, along with much else he enjoyed.
He had sustained an incomplete cervical spinal injury, where the spinal cord in the neck is partially severed. Michael arrived at our hospital in a wheelchair pushed by his wife, wearing a neck brace and abdominal binder at all times.
He had severe weakness across all muscles below his neck, with his right arm and leg mildly stronger. Previous rugby injuries contributed to pain in his shoulders and back but this was now far worse.
Michael was also suffering from patchy sensation across his body and poor hand function. He required assistance with all activities, from grooming, to showering, dressing and moving around. He was also unable to self-propel his wheelchair.
Committed Rehabilitation
Small victories had been achieved during his initial treatment at St. Mary’s in London but at a very slow pace. Michael was determined to access specialist, intensive spinal cord rehabilitation, to transform his recovery.
His commitment to face every challenge brought rapid progress at our rehabilitation centre. Within a week, Michael had stood up with assistance from 2 people. A few days later he was taking his first steps, walking 10 metres assisted by therapists.
Our team worked with him, to understand how his potential could be explored, to give him the physical and mental foundations to improve his abilities. Not that much encouragement was needed, for a remarkable man.
Technological aids helped with recovery, as did Michael’s dedicated work with our physiotherapists, in the gym and hydrotherapy pool. His progress continued to defy even our expectations, due to his inner strength.
Rapid Progress
Michael’s first completion of a 10 metre walk was wonderful to see but with assistance, took 93 seconds. By the time he was ready to leave us from a residential perspective, that 93 seconds had become 5.7 seconds unaided.
Hands which could initially produce 1kg of gross grasp power in his right and none with with the left had changed. Now Michael ws able to grasp 16 kg for the left and 51kg for the right, a good performance for any of us.
Fine grasp tests on arrival were not able to be completed at all. He progressed to completing a 9 hole peg test on both hands, in under 33 seconds.
Michael is back enjoying his independence, alongside time with family and friends. Our team provided training for exercises, strategies, and activities at home, along with his local gym.
We will continue to have catch up sessions and follow up reviews, to support a person who has achieved so much, through a clear focus on the future.
