Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

jb
New Member

Posts: 22

Post Likes Received: 23
Date Joined: July 2015
Date Injured: October 2014

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 8, 2015 6:27:53 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile

Quote

Post by jb on Dec 8, 2015 6:27:53 GMT -8

I keep hearing how many people have feelings and treatments. And slowly tend too walk! Time frame I suppose is different for all? Some say few months and others years. I believe you know your body and feelings! More research needs too be done in UK! I think the NHS are far behind.

DJ and mimm like this

DJ
Administrator

STAFF

Posts: 8,162

Post Likes Received: 2,829
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: C6 - ASIA B
Date Injured: June 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 9, 2015 5:15:53 GMT -8

Quote

Post by DJ on Dec 9, 2015 5:15:53 GMT -8

jb, what's your injury level again? How much function do you currently have? There is definitely a lot of promising research going on around the world and I think within the next few years there'll be some kind of treatment available to us!

califanna
Member

Posts: 190

Post Likes Received: 263
Date Joined: December 2016
Injury: Spinal Cord Injured T-10
Date Injured: 1994

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 10, 2016 10:31:26 GMT -8

Quote

Post by califanna on Dec 10, 2016 10:31:26 GMT -8

Dec 9, 2015 5:15:53 GMT -8 DJ said:

jb , what's your injury level again? How much function do you currently have? There is definitely a lot of promising research going on around the world and I think within the next few years there'll be some kind of treatment available to us!

DJ I think it is great that you are so positive about an upcoming treatment. I was part of the Chris Reeve movement when he was alive. So now I wonder if the medical community makes more money with us not being healed. It is a really big industry with DME manufacturers and suppliers making millions off of us. I want to be positive but I know a number of people using exoskeletons and similar devices dealing with pressure wounds and fractures. So I hope this next generation appreciates all that the current guinea pigs are dealing with to find a cure or at least a way to live our lives more comfortably.

DJ, megatrig, and 4 more like this

Inspiration comes and goes but when it arrives, oh how I cherish it.

sam
Advanced Member

Posts: 558

Post Likes Received: 512
Date Joined: August 2016
Injury: incomplete C3, C4, C5 multiple fractures
Date Injured: 06/24/2015

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 10, 2016 14:38:14 GMT -8

Quote

Post by sam on Dec 10, 2016 14:38:14 GMT -8

Dec 8, 2015 6:27:53 GMT -8 jb said:

I keep hearing how many people have feelings and treatments. And slowly tend too walk! Time frame I suppose is different for all? Some say few months and others years. I believe you know your body and feelings! More research needs too be done in UK! I think the NHS are far behind.

my doctor told me I will walk again about a year ago when I was about to be released from hospital after accident, my right leg is very close to normal, no spasms or clonus. my left leg is more affected by sci, it will take another 6 months to 2 years before I am able to walk again without walker or assistance but there is hope but the waiting is killing me. need to gain more strength and feeling in left leg before am able to walk w/o assistance. I think every injury is different so there is no regular prognosis for people with an incomplete sci.

DJ, kilg0retr0ut, and 2 more like this

tetra
Advanced Member

Posts: 815

Post Likes Received: 942
Date Joined: November 2016
Injury: C5-7 Incomplete
Date Injured: 5/28/2008

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 10, 2016 17:34:47 GMT -8

Quote

Post by tetra on Dec 10, 2016 17:34:47 GMT -8

The chances of walking for an incomplete SCI are really quite good, but this does not mean you might walk well enough that it becomes your primary mode of transportation. The majority of us learn to shuffle along behind a walker for at least 20 ft.

If you are up behind a walker within a few months I think your chances to walk unassisted and without a cane are good. Some take much longer and still do very well. I was using a walker at 4 months and pushed very hard to make that go well. After about 5 years I finally accepted walking was sport, not transport for me. I get tied up in spasticity within 20-30 meters. I can also use stairs a few at time. Such skills are great for visiting friends in inaccessible homes or using a regular stall in a hurry, but it does not mean I am a walker.

The trouble with our hopes for walking in those first years is that we think it will be like it was pre-injury and that the nightmare will be over. That is the only image we have of what it means to be a walker but that happens very rarely. Another internet friend could walk like anyone else and ride a bike 50 miles. None but his wife knew there were days he could not get out of bed without her help due to his pain levels. Pain is near crippling (hehe) for some SCId people who walk through life. Others do ok.

None of us know what our future holds, and the devil is in the details. Use your hope for walking - it motivates us, and if it never quite clicks as a lifestyle, well, we will have adjusted to that by the time we see the truth, so no worries.

I love my chair.

DJ, kilg0retr0ut, and 6 more like this

I step in the water, but the water has moved on...

moco
Advanced Member

Posts: 352

Post Likes Received: 409
Date Joined: November 2016
Injury: Wife of incomplete C4-C7
Date Injured: July 2012

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 11, 2016 1:50:26 GMT -8

Quote

Post by moco on Dec 11, 2016 1:50:26 GMT -8

Hello tetra *waves madly*. Nice to see some old friends here.
My husband (incomplete C4-C7) is a "walker" and uses his wheelchair only outdoors. However like Tetra says it takes time, hope and determination. 4.5 years on from the op that left Peter with very little movement down his right side and spasticity and much pain down his left he is still improving (apart from the pain sadly). He can walk very short distances unaided (a bit robot ish still) a bit further with a stick and a few 100 yards with crutches. However he is very lacking in stamina so that is what he is working on now. Will he ever be a "normal" walker? Maybe, maybe not. However he will never know if he doesn't keep on trying. It's a slow, rocky road but if he doesn't walk it (teehee sorry about the pun) we won't know where it leads.

DJ, kilg0retr0ut, and 1 more like this

DJ
Administrator

STAFF

Posts: 8,162

Post Likes Received: 2,829
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: C6 - ASIA B
Date Injured: June 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 11, 2016 5:12:57 GMT -8

Quote

Post by DJ on Dec 11, 2016 5:12:57 GMT -8

Dec 10, 2016 10:31:26 GMT -8 califanna said:

Dec 9, 2015 5:15:53 GMT -8 DJ said:

jb , what's your injury level again? How much function do you currently have? There is definitely a lot of promising research going on around the world and I think within the next few years there'll be some kind of treatment available to us!

DJ I think it is great that you are so positive about an upcoming treatment. I was part of the Chris Reeve movement when he was alive. So now I wonder if the medical community makes more money with us not being healed. It is a really big industry with DME manufacturers and suppliers making millions off of us. I want to be positive but I know a number of people using exoskeletons and similar devices dealing with pressure wounds and fractures. So I hope this next generation appreciates all that the current guinea pigs are dealing with to find a cure or at least a way to live our lives more comfortably.

I like to stay positive califanna, it's the only way I can keep my head up and continue to move forward!

What you've said about the medical community & big pharma making more money with us not being healed is absolutely true (at least I believe so). It's the same for cancer patients. While it's the sad truth, it's to be expected since greed prevails in this world. I do however still believe that we're getting close to the day when a "cure" is available to the public. Only time will tell!

kilg0retr0ut, vintage, and 2 more like this

tetra
Advanced Member

Posts: 815

Post Likes Received: 942
Date Joined: November 2016
Injury: C5-7 Incomplete
Date Injured: 5/28/2008

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 11, 2016 8:34:23 GMT -8

Quote

Post by tetra on Dec 11, 2016 8:34:23 GMT -8

Dec 11, 2016 1:50:26 GMT -8 moco said:

Hello tetra *waves madly*. Nice to see some old friends here.
My husband (incomplete C4-C7) is a "walker" and uses his wheelchair only outdoors. However like Tetra says it takes time, hope and determination. 4.5 years on from the op that left Peter with very little movement down his right side and spasticity and much pain down his left he is still improving (apart from the pain sadly). He can walk very short distances unaided (a bit robot ish still) a bit further with a stick and a few 100 yards with crutches. However he is very lacking in stamina so that is what he is working on now. Will he ever be a "normal" walker? Maybe, maybe not. However he will never know if he doesn't keep on trying. It's a slow, rocky road but if he doesn't walk it (teehee sorry about the pun) we won't know where it leads.

*waves madly* I think you and Peter, for you have been a team in this, have done a remarkable job of improvement. Improvement is the key word- we should be thrilled to improve in whatever little increments we achieve. 'Walking' is not one goal: it is made of hundreds of small gains and simply doing a bit better feels grand.

kilg0retr0ut, sam, and 4 more like this

I step in the water, but the water has moved on...

vintage Advanced Member Posts: 2,576 Post Likes Received: 1,757 Date Joined: November 2016 Injury: T9 incomplete Date Injured: March 15, 2014 Member is: Offline Send PM	Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 11, 2016 10:16:35 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by vintage on Dec 11, 2016 10:16:35 GMT -8 Califanna and DJ, I agree about Big Pharma.
	DJ likes this

outlier
Member

Posts: 124
Post Likes Received: 116
Date Joined: December 2016
Injury: C5-T2 Posterior cord
Date Injured: 3-15-2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 11, 2016 12:04:42 GMT -8

Quote

Post by outlier on Dec 11, 2016 12:04:42 GMT -8

According to statistics, 76% of incomplete SCIs will walk again but like Tetra said, that could be a few steps, a few feet, and some can walk more. I've heard of some amazing come back stories but they seem to be the exception. I can walk on most days now (I'm 5 years in, C5-T2 incomplete posterior cord) but my energy is limited and if I push myself too far my legs fail. I also have frequent falls, which is one of my major concerns because I can't predict them. The fatigue and pain are more constant so more predictable. The first three years were the worst for me. Over the first year I lost most my muscles, year 2 spasms were insane and I did not sleep. Year 3 was similar to year 2 but my walking improved. But I'm posterior cord and I tend to have a similar pattern to CCS. I have not met any other posterior cord individuals.

Good Luck,

Out

DJ, kilg0retr0ut, and 4 more like this

DJ Administrator STAFF Posts: 8,162 Post Likes Received: 2,829 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: C6 - ASIA B Date Injured: June 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 11, 2016 13:44:18 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by DJ on Dec 11, 2016 13:44:18 GMT -8 Welcome outlier
	tj and outlier like this

kilg0retr0ut Advanced Member Posts: 2,507 Post Likes Received: 1,862 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: L4/5 Cauda Equina Date Injured: 7-15-10 Member is: Offline Send PM	Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 11, 2016 15:17:21 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by kilg0retr0ut on Dec 11, 2016 15:17:21 GMT -8 outlier I wonder if CES is included in this.
	outlier likes this L4/5 CES

outlier Member Posts: 124 Post Likes Received: 116 Date Joined: December 2016 Injury: C5-T2 Posterior cord Date Injured: 3-15-2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 12, 2016 14:36:34 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by outlier on Dec 12, 2016 14:36:34 GMT -8 Dec 11, 2016 15:17:21 GMT -8 kilg0retr0ut said: outlier I wonder if CES is included in this. One thing we all have in common are the legs. Is this what you mean?
	kilg0retr0ut likes this

mimm
Junior Member

Posts: 59

Post Likes Received: 83
Date Joined: December 2016

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 13, 2016 1:42:10 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile

Quote

Post by mimm on Dec 13, 2016 1:42:10 GMT -8

Dec 11, 2016 12:04:42 GMT -8 outlier said:

According to statistics, 76% of incomplete SCIs will walk again but like Tetra said, that could be a few steps, a few feet, and some can walk more. I've heard of some amazing come back stories but they seem to be the exception. I can walk on most days now (I'm 5 years in, C5-T2 incomplete posterior cord) but my energy is limited and if I push myself too far my legs fail. I also have frequent falls, which is one of my major concerns because I can't predict them. The fatigue and pain are more constant so more predictable. The first three years were the worst for me. Over the first year I lost most my muscles, year 2 spasms were insane and I did not sleep. Year 3 was similar to year 2 but my walking improved. But I'm posterior cord and I tend to have a similar pattern to CCS. I have not met any other posterior cord individuals.

Good Luck,

Out

Im on year 2 I hope my spasms ease by year 3 , earlier on I was able at times to get on crutches the spastisity kicked in with a vengence and my hips started to.play up with everything being so tight then lower back pain so crutches are a no go right now , I exercise in modetation.if I do to much.stretching then my legs.and stomach are tight all night squeezing on my bladder ..the crazy thing is the pain is so intense ,agony ,that I can actually deal with that if the spastisity went ..
I hope.year 3 will help and I can once again get on crutches ..
A huge well done to anyone who has managed to walk after sci x

sam, tj, and 1 more like this

kilg0retr0ut
Advanced Member

Posts: 2,507

Post Likes Received: 1,862
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: L4/5 Cauda Equina
Date Injured: 7-15-10

Member is: Offline
Send PM

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete! Dec 13, 2016 6:47:00 GMT -8

Quote

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Dec 13, 2016 6:47:00 GMT -8

Dec 12, 2016 14:36:34 GMT -8 outlier said:

Dec 11, 2016 15:17:21 GMT -8 kilg0retr0ut said:

outlier I wonder if CES is included in this.

One thing we all have in common are the legs. Is this what you mean?

There been some debate here whether CES would be labeled as a incomplete, being CES is a root issue, rather than a cord issue. (some will argue)

I've had a hard time finding statistics pertaining to CES in general.

L4/5 CES

Site Map	Site Policies	Helpful Links
Home	Terms of Service	Forum Features
About Us	Privacy Policy	Site Discussion
Account	Rules	Server Status
New Posts	Report Abuse	Mobile App

Chances of walking after a SCI incomplete!

Post by jb on Dec 8, 2015 6:27:53 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Dec 9, 2015 5:15:53 GMT -8

Post by califanna on Dec 10, 2016 10:31:26 GMT -8

Post by sam on Dec 10, 2016 14:38:14 GMT -8

Post by tetra on Dec 10, 2016 17:34:47 GMT -8

Post by moco on Dec 11, 2016 1:50:26 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Dec 11, 2016 5:12:57 GMT -8

Post by tetra on Dec 11, 2016 8:34:23 GMT -8

Post by vintage on Dec 11, 2016 10:16:35 GMT -8

Post by outlier on Dec 11, 2016 12:04:42 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Dec 11, 2016 13:44:18 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Dec 11, 2016 15:17:21 GMT -8

Post by outlier on Dec 12, 2016 14:36:34 GMT -8

Post by mimm on Dec 13, 2016 1:42:10 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Dec 13, 2016 6:47:00 GMT -8

Like Us On Facebook

Help Support The Forum