Once a Wheelchair Dependent, Now Walks Confidently Towards Life

KOCHI:
Aster Medcity has achieved a significant milestone in the field of medical care with the successful completion of Kerala’s first Baclofen pump implantation surgery. The procedure was performed by the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the hospital on a 69-year-old native of Kottayam, who had been suffering from progressive spastic quadriparesis. This procedure was successfully conducted for the first time in the state under the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The patient’s journey began in 2013 when he started experiencing symptoms of tightness in both upper and lower limbs which gradually worsened over time. It was diagnosed that he was suffering from Spasticity a condition characterized by muscle stiffness and spasms, often associated with medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injuries. By 2014, he became dependent on a walker for mobility. His condition further deteriorated, leading to emotional lability, dysarthria, and complete wheelchair dependence. Despite long-term use of oral medications for spasticity, his condition remained very spastic.

The patient had previously sought treatment at CMC Vellore and was prescribed multiple antispasticity drugs in an attempt to control muscle tightness. Unfortunately, the treatments did not yield the desired results, leading the patient to Aster Medcity for further evaluation and specialized care. Specialists from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Aster Medcity, particularly the surgeons with expertise in spasticity management, evaluated the patient’s condition thoroughly to assess the suitability of Baclofen pump implantation.

The primary goal of the baclofen pump implantation was to provide a continuous release of the baclofen drug at desirable levels within the patient’s body. This approach offers several advantages, such as the requirement of minimal dosage compared to oral medications, along with the potential to bypass most side effects.

On 5th July 2023, the surgery was successfully performed by Dr. K.M Mathew , Senior Consultant – Physical Medicine & Rehabiliation at Aster Medcity. Dr. Zachariah T Zachariah, Consultant – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Dr. Sreeja K S, Senior Specialist – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation assisted in the surgery.

Following the successful procedure, the patient’s condition has significantly improved, allowing Aster Medcity to discontinue all antispasticity oral medications. The patient is currently undergoing daily sessions of physical therapy and occupational therapy under the care of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Aster Medcity.

“We are happy to have achieved this medical breakthrough with Kerala’s first Baclofen pump implantation,” said Dr. K M Mathew, Senior Consultant – Physical Medicine & Rehabiliation at Aster Medcity. “This advanced treatment option offers hope to patients suffering from severe spasticity, enhancing their quality of life and independence.” He added.

Aster Medcity remains committed to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation . The success of this procedure marks another milestone in the journey of providing world-class healthcare solutions.