Treatment Warnings

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are permanent in nature, and while intensive rehabilitation efforts may restore function to varying degrees, there is at present no "cure" for SCI; there is no way to repair nerves in the way that muscle, bone, and other body tissue may be repaired.

Given this somewhat dim outlook for a full recovery, it is not surprising that a plethora of alternative treatments are advertised on the Internet, promising cures or recoveries far beyond what conventional medicine can offer.  Although legitimate alternative treatments do exist, it takes a lot of research and understanding to determine which alternatives offer benefits and which ones merely take your money.

Promising Treatments Do Exist

The most heavily-researched areas for treatment include stem cells and drug therapies.  Nerve cell transplantation from embryonic or fetal stem cells may be beneficial to replace neurons in the central nervous system, to regenerate damaged axons, or to form new axon myelin sheaths.  Drug treatments aimed at halting, slowing, or lessening degenerative damage have also shown promise, especially methylprednisolone or other steroids administered shortly after the injury.  Another interesting option being explored is the use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) to stimulate paralyzed nerves.

One major question when considering alternative treatments is whether they are being performed at an established medical facility such as a hospital or reputable doctor's office, or at an alternative health care facility.  When looking at alternative health care facilities, several questions should be considered:

• Is the procedure covered by insurance? 
• Does the doctor performing the procedure have a degree in neurosurgery or other field applicable to the treatment?
• Is the doctor's medical degree from an accredited, reputable medical school?
• Does the doctor maintain membership in accredited, reputable medical organizations?
• Is the doctor board-certified, and if so, by which organization?
• Is the procedure being performed at a hospital or private facility?  Does the doctor have privileges at a hospital in the area?

Stem Cell Buyer Beware

Our page on recent treatment developments contains extensive discussion about stem cell research and the promise of stem cells to differentiate into neurons, perhaps re-establishing connections where the spinal cord has been damaged.   As discussed, stem cell therapy is not approved in the U.S. by the FDA, and research is heavily restricted, so one must travel to other countries to participate in authentic experimental trials or receive stem cell therapy. 

The only established stem cell therapy is a bone marrow transplant for blood and immune system disorders; any other use of stem cells is experimental and unproven as to safety or efficacy.  While our recent developments page notes some promising areas of study by reputable organizations, an Internet search for stem cell therapy will reveal a number of opportunities available worldwide.  While one sure result of these therapies is that you will return several thousands of dollars poorer, whether your health will be improved is less of a certainty, and some therapies could even be harmful.

All we can suggest is that you thoroughly investigate the treatment and providers as much as possible before giving over your body and your hard-earned money to an experimental, risky, or controversial procedure.  Any experimental treatment or clinical trial should only be performed with the informed consent of the patient.  The likely risks and expected rewards should be explained to you to your satisfaction before you agree to any procedure.

If you need further information on alternative treatments, or if you feel you were harmed by treatments meant to benefit you, contact The Cartwright Law Firm today for legal advice or representation from one of our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys.

- See more at: http://www.spinalcordattorneys.com/treatment-warnings/#sthash.ceEASsFN.dpuf