In a remarkable medical recovery, a 24-year-old electrician who was paralysed after a 20-foot fall has regained significant mobility following a complex spinal surgery at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences in Greater Noida.
Doctors said the patient had lost sensation and movement in both arms and legs after falling from a ladder during work in September.
Severe Cervical Spine Injury Diagnosed
When the patient was brought to the hospital, he complained of intense neck pain and complete paralysis. Medical examinations revealed a serious cervical spine injury, where a fractured vertebra was compressing the spinal cord.
According to Rakesh Kumar Gupta, the patient had suffered a C5 vertebral fracture, a condition that can lead to permanent paralysis if not treated quickly.
Doctors also observed symptoms of spinal shock, a life-threatening condition that causes dangerously low blood pressure and slow heart rate.
Emergency Treatment and Advanced Imaging
The medical team immediately began trauma care procedures and conducted detailed diagnostic tests including:
X-ray
CT scan
MRI
The scans confirmed a C5 vertebral fracture with spinal cord compression.
The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and doctors initially used skeletal traction to reduce pressure on the spinal cord before planning surgery.
Complex Cervical Spine Surgery Performed
After consultations among specialists, surgeons carried out a complex anterior cervical spine surgery under general anaesthesia.
The procedure involved:
●Removal of the damaged disc between C5 and C6 vertebrae
●Decompression of the spinal cord
●Bone grafting
●Fixation to stabilise the spine
Following surgery, the patient was closely monitored and enrolled in an intensive rehabilitation programme.
Gradual Recovery After Surgery
Doctors said the patient showed steady improvement during recovery.
Key milestones in his recovery included:
●3 weeks after surgery: able to sit with support using a cervical collar
●4 weeks after surgery: able to stand with assistance using a walker
●6 months later: regained significant functional mobility
The case highlights the importance of early intervention, specialised surgical treatment and rehabilitation in spinal cord injury cases.
Medical experts said timely treatment can dramatically improve recovery chances even in severe paralysis cases.
