Re: Amputations
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:39 am
There have been successful stem cell surgeries done on mice in which the had their brachial plexus avulsed and reattached with stem cells placed at the area of damage & stem cell therapy after surgery.
On the issue of atrophied muscles, the main issue is the muscle plate (the area of neural transmission, where the nerve connects to the muscle and relay of axon cell impulse turns into muscle fiber contraction) stops working & turns fibrous. The Muscle Plate can shut down anywhere from 9 months to 3 years. But there have been recent positive studies where nerves are simple being plugged into muscles and the muscles are responding. And that is not in conjunction with any stem cell therapy. So who knows what is possible?
The problem is we don't know the answer till it's answered.
I have some biceps function and some hand function, & I still think of amputation on almost a daily basis. I know I should be grateful, but I don't have the freedom from this ball and chain to be spontaneous, to run, jump, dive, roll, dance.... you all know, but I can hold a beer while my good hand opens it, so for now, that trade off is winning. If I have to join A.A. then I probably do the cut, but I wont know till then.
I think if stem cell surgeries come around soon, so will arm transplants.
Best of luck to you John, I sure what ever decision you make will be the right one. As long as you decide to make it the right one.
Chris
On the issue of atrophied muscles, the main issue is the muscle plate (the area of neural transmission, where the nerve connects to the muscle and relay of axon cell impulse turns into muscle fiber contraction) stops working & turns fibrous. The Muscle Plate can shut down anywhere from 9 months to 3 years. But there have been recent positive studies where nerves are simple being plugged into muscles and the muscles are responding. And that is not in conjunction with any stem cell therapy. So who knows what is possible?
The problem is we don't know the answer till it's answered.
I have some biceps function and some hand function, & I still think of amputation on almost a daily basis. I know I should be grateful, but I don't have the freedom from this ball and chain to be spontaneous, to run, jump, dive, roll, dance.... you all know, but I can hold a beer while my good hand opens it, so for now, that trade off is winning. If I have to join A.A. then I probably do the cut, but I wont know till then.
I think if stem cell surgeries come around soon, so will arm transplants.
Best of luck to you John, I sure what ever decision you make will be the right one. As long as you decide to make it the right one.
Chris