MUMBAI: Ravindra Ahire, a farm labourer’s son from Malegaon, is happy he can hobble across the road with his walker. “I can manage half a kilometre,” he said with glee. Fifteen months ago when TOI met him at Sion Hospital’s neurosurgery ward, he was immobile after a bike accident.
Ahire owes his recovery from Paraplegia to stem cell therapy. “He can walk a bit, he has sensation in his legs and bladder,” said neurosurgeon Dr Alok Sharma and neuropathologist Dr Prerna Badhe who treated him.
Ahire was the first patient to get an infusion of stem cells – drawn from his own bone marrow – for spinal injuries in Sion Hospital. On Tuesday, the team that treated Ahire and seven others thereafter became the first in the city’s public health network to boast of a stem cell centre. As it is a public hospital, patients needing the therapy will get free treatment.
“This is a big achievement for civic healthcare. We also have a new neurosurgery centre that will offer minimally invasive operations. One would expect this in the private sector but we are offering it to our patients,” said Kishore Gajbhiye, additional municipal commissioner, at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday by mayor Shubha Raul.
“Stem cell therapy is part of a new branch called regenerative medicine in which healthy cells are used to replace damaged cells,” said Dr Sharma. Indeed, after their discovery in the late ’90s, stem cells emerged as a hope for millions. “Initially, there seemed to be more hype than results,” stated Dr Sharma. But he feels the results are now showing, especially in countries such as China, Korea, Portugal, Germany, Australia and India.
For now, the Sion Hospital centre will focus solely on spinal cord injuries (over 0.25 million sufferers). “Seven of our eight patients (22-54 age group) had suffered spinal injuries in accidents that had occurred two weeks to eight years before the treatment. The eighth patient had TB of the spine,” said Dr Badhe.
Dr Sharma said that over half of the patients had done “exceptionally well”. “Patients expect miracles from stem cells and are often disappointed that they cannot get back to normal. It must be understood that in spinal injuries, even small development such as restoration of sensation in legs is big,” said Dr Sharma.
The Sion centre uses stem cells obtained from the patients themselves (instead of embryonic or cord blood cells). “Embryonic cells have ethical issues as well as the threat of cancer. Cord blood cells are expensive to process. Stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow is simple to process and without side-effects,” he said.
The centre already has 200 patients on its waiting list, with requests from Pakistan and the UK. “We can only handle two patients a day,” said Dr Badhe. The procedure is long: stem cells are extracted from the patient’s marrow, analysed and processed before being injected back into the site of the injury, the surroundings as well as the Cerebrospinal Fluid. “All this takes five hours,” said Dr Badhe.
FIRST IN CITY
Stem cells are the body’s master cells with the power to transform into any cell (say heart or nerve cells, for instance) Sion Hospital is the first public hospital in Mumbai to offer stem cell therapy AIIMS in New Delhi offers stem cell therapy for heart patients . Over half a dozen private entities offer it as well At present, Sion will concentrate on spinal injury patients It uses autologous stem cells (drawn from patients themselves) for treatment It will take up brain stroke patients in future
I am happy to inform that LMT General Hospital Sion is really doing a good efforts for poor country men by providing costly stem cell therapy in Govt Hospital in 1/10 expenses than private hospitals.My wife who is a
It is good to hear that a lot of progress has ben made in research and application of technology in this area.
I have a family member who met with an accident in year 2006 and since then is immobile and bed-ridden. He met with severe spine injuries and now his body below neck is can’t move.
Ater reading this artcle I think we should also refer to the doctors in Sion hospital who are doing such a great work there.
Can you please let me know how and whom to contact to get more information?
Hi,
Did you contact the doctors there? Can you please also let me know whom to contact?
I have a amily member who met with a severe accident in 2006 and since then he canot move his body parts below neck. His spinal chord was damaged.
May be he can get some respite from his ordeal if we an consult the doctors in Sion Hospital.
Please let me kow if you have any contact details and any oher information that you can shrare with me.
Thanks,
Subrat Awasthi
my injury level is d-4/5/6, accident date is 9 feb 2009, no sensation below nipple level,,no bladder n bowel control …done wit stem cell{bone marrow} therapy in nov 2009..my question is how much time does it take to show improvement,,continuely wit physiotherapy ….i dont have sensation n movement but i still feel i have legs some burning sensation is felt …
my son aged 17 years suffering from dmd with right side lung collapsed, eventration diagnosed, can u help him to put on therapy to recover, on clinical trial so that other children suffering can be reduced if he is successful on trial my son please help us if u can.
hi,
my sister is also suffering since last 10 years since she had an accident.
can some one plz. inform me whom to contact ??
jay
MY 7 YEARS OLD SON HAVING A PROBLEM OF SMA FROM LAST 4 YEARS.HE IS PERFECTLY WELL BEFORE THAT BUT NOW HE IS NOT ABLE TO STAND OR WALK WITHOUT SUPPORT.WILL STEM CELL WORK IN THIS AND DO YOU HAVE ANY PREVIOUS CASE IN WHICH STEM CELL WORKED IN SUCH CASE.
my baby is of 2 1/2 years she is having problem of c.p. could not able to hold her neck cold not seet or speek can stem cell do anything for her.
Regards.
Mayur.
to,dear dr alok sharma.i have a pt of motor neurone disease.both upper limb.cant move or lift anything sice 2-3 yrs.mri c-spine shows rt posterolateral herniation of c5-6 disc,compressing c6 nerve root& mildly indenting ant.cord margin on the rt side.mild diffuse post.bulge of the c4-5 disc partially effacing the ant.csf space without any cord or nerve root compression.DR,ANY HOPE FROM STEM CELL THERAPY.LOOKING FOR UR REPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
sir
Its was indeed a plesent surprise to read an article in the TOI on how stem cell had helped a motor neuron patient being treated in your hospital.I am a Naval office posted at pune. My mothere has been suffering from MND for the past 9 years. Hers was a gradual degeneration wherein she has now reached a stage where she uses a walker to mave around and has acute problem in speech.we had shown her to several hospitals like the AIMS (Ernakulam) and also to NIMHANS where the head of the neurology had diagnoised it as PROGRESSIVE SPASTIC PARAPARESIS.she has been undergoing aurvedic tretment at VAIDHYAMADHAM in kerala which has been giving her releif and boosting up her morale.I would be really greatful of you if u can take some time from your busy shcedule and lent me some time so that i can discuss the full case with you. i can send u the soft copy of all the documents and further can get my mother to mumbai for further treatment if u could give me a date of your convenience.
eagarly waiting for a reply
arun
Hello Sir,
My Self Vinayak Sharma from Gondia.
My younger brother was suffering Paraplegia problem last 3 month.Sir he wad in injured in accident.Now he don’t have any sensation of legs, bladder and motion. before two day i was meet Dr pakhmode from getwell hospital Nagpur and he said and inform me about Stem cell treatment.He was told me Your name sir. So I want meet u sir can u give me some time.please sir.
I m waiting for ur replay.
Please sir
Sir,
my mother is suffering from mnd for last 4 and a half years and has now reached a stage where she has lost strength in lower and a lot in the upper limbs and recently has developed breathing problems and needs oxygen supply for a good no. of hours in the day.Kindly help.
RAJAT.
I am arvind 24 year male from tamilnadu (India) before 1year 5 months i was suffered by guillain barre syndrome as (acute motor axonal polyradiculo neuropathy type) and power of muscle became 0 in all the four limbs and now I recovered by active phsio therapy i can able to walk alone but still foot drop is there and to sit and stand i need some support then some weakness in my fingers also. And last 4 months i don’t feel any changes
Is stem cell technology will help for the partially damaged peripheral axon regeneration is it help to recover my residual symptoms,pls help me.
Hi Dr. Alok,
My wife Mrs. Rafat Siddiqui had a accident on 18/02/2010 which lead to Spinal Cord injury. She was treated at Bombay Hospital by Dr. Arvind Kulkarni at 20/02/2010. She was diagnosed for C5 Burst ( Quadriparasis) unable to move lower limbs, no movements in finger, no control on bowel & bladder, movements in both shoulder, elbow & wrist. Currently she is undergoing a conventional therapy. Please suggest if we can go for a stem cell.
i,ravi varma,b suffering from parapligia as i met with an accident…and i lost ma sences from ma nipple level….i had injury on my spinal cord at t4..injury is complete…all this has happened just 4 months back….do this stem cell will help me out…..waiting for your valuable advise….
thankin you
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is kaushik Shahukar & iam from India.Iam 32 yrs old Male.Actually from past 22 yrs iam suffering from right hemiplegia.I have recently heard about Stem Cell. Can u pls guide me whether the treatment will help me to cure?if yes how much time & cost it will take.pls guide me honestly.
hoping for positive Feed Back.
Regards
kaushik
dear sir,
I have appeared for TYBSc Life Sciences from Ruia bollege matunga.
Can you please suggest me where can i gat an MSc in stem cell research or related subject even from a hospital….
i will be waiting in anticipation…
thank you.
My mother has been suffering from parkinsons for 14 years now and I wondered if there was a way to consult Dr. Badhe at Sion Hospital .. is there some hope for Parkinsons patients using the new stem cell research ??
My 4 year old son is having cerebral palsy. I came to know about stem cell therapy. How i can approach to sion hospital for the same treatment. What r the chances that CP can be cured or a person can live a normal life after treatment.
HI
I AM DIABETIC ON TYPE2 AND ON TABLETS ALSO I HAD A CORNEA IMPLANT BEFORE I WAS DIAGONISED FOR DIABETIES
CAN YOU HELP
hello dr alok sharma sir
just asking for ur any private hospital ? pls reply if any …
Can you please suggest if stem cell thearpy helps in anklosing spondylitist.pl reply via email. thanks
dear dr,
i met with an bike accident in 1986, in which i injured my C5,C6,C7 and have only partial use of my right hand , the biceps , triceps , shoulder and quadrilaterals have visible muscle wastage , while i can write drive , but cant eat or lift things with my right hand, wud stem cells help me (24 years since the injury),if yes, how do i go about it?. what test wud be required before i cam to see u?
wud appreciate an reply at the earliest
regards
jahan-
Dear Sir,
Iam chiled I leave in Iraq Iam victame in war in Iraq and I injury about bomb in my house
and injury in my spinal cord and iam now I cannot walk becuse this bomb and my case now is partial spinal cord injury and I can move my legs and sens in two leg and very need to treatment in your hospital becuse I donot have any treatment here in Iraq please help me help me help me becuses I want to play again to with my frends I very waiting your answer and Iam can send your any report or CT scan to clear my case please donnot forget my case please
best wishes
Mohammed R. Mohsen
Iraq – Baghdad
2010
hamoodyramadan@yahoo.com
Could u provide me with the email ID of Dr. Alok Sharma, Sion Hospital………
my brothers son aged 12 suffering from dmd . could you provide me with the e mail id and phone numer of DR ALOK SHARMA,SION HOSPITAL MUMBAI
my siseter shilpa ashok gadhire 28 yr old suffering from muscular dystrophy since 9yr at present her condition is worsened . we have consulted to dr alok sharma and has got admission date on 22feb 2012.sir could u please prepone the date . thanking u.
I have last 10 year Cereballer ataxia & Stemcell with better treatment is best part of the body.
I AM SWETHA ASHOK ADDAGATLA AGED 26YRS SUFFERING FROM LIMB GIRDLE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY SINCE 9YRS AT HER PRESENT CONDITION IS WORSENED.RECENTLY I HEARD ABOUT DR.ALOK SHARMA WHO IS HANDLING MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY PATIENTS AND ALSO ABOUT STEM CELL THERAPY.
ANY HOPE FROM STEM CELL THERAPY.LOOKING FOR UR REPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
HOPING FOR POSITIVE FEED BACK
THANKING YOU..
sir my d6 and d7 is injured since 7th january 2010.sir pls let me know about stem cell treatment and related cost of it.
my son is 12 yrs old he is suffering from dmd as far as today we r not into any treatment is there will be a cure soon or shall we start the treatment or if we start the treatment there will we problem when the 100% cure will come . please sir let us know what 2 do we r quite confuse . thanking u .
Dear Dr. Alok Sharma, I have come to know about that you are working on the research of Stem Cell therapy.
My father Mr. K L Chhabra age 62yrs is suffering from PULMONARY FIBROSIS (ILD) which was dignosed in Dec-2008. I want to know if any treatment can be given through STEM CELL THERAPY in detail please.
Dear Sir
iam suffering to the diseas of c5 c6 from three to four years in this regard i need treatment from your organizatin . kindly do favour me amd win the grace of GOD and oblidge plz.
Sir,
I m SCI paraplegic patient due 2 a road accident b4 abt 3 years.
I have injury at d-11–d-12 level, sensation only at right leg up 2 ankle not in leg’s fingers n not in left leg.
And somewhat movement in left hip joint also no blader or bowel control.
So, whats d role of stem cell therapy in my case ?
n whats d expendatur?
Right i cn walk with d help of caliper n walker.
Waiting 4 ur reply eagerly.
Thank u.
I’m glad to know the positive results further i’ld like to know can i undergo the stem cell surgery will it be profitable for me. I’m paraplegic patient level d-10-d-12. I met abus accident 3yrs before.I’ve got rehab. atAIIPMR hajiali. I can walk with walker with KAFO,i can manage to do my work byself,i can go up &do wn the staircase with railing.I’ve got extensor spasm in right leg &flexor in left leg,flexor distb me sp.during standing without calipers& while sleeping.I’ve got bowel bladder sensation but for bowel i’ve to use dulcolaxsup.5mg for bowels& CIC for bladder.Pl. sir give me suggestion at my e.mail add.
iam waiting for your treatment( can you help me )
I am Aminul Islam. 30 years old, paralysed for 15 years. I became paralysed after jumping into a pond from above and hit my head.
Immediate after the accident. My full body was paralysed and I was in traction bed for 41 days.
At present,I can’t move my legs at all. There is weakness in my hand [spastic type quadriplegia] and urinarry incontinence with retention also present.bowel control is not completely normal but not as bad as urination.
Am I fit for stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury. If I am fit what are the chance of improvement.
M R I [26-6-2013]
Findings:
The cervical lordsosis is slightly straightened.
Normal vertebral height and alignment are seen.
The cervical dises are mildly hypointense on T2WI due to reduced hydration.
Marrow signal intensities are normal.
The CM area is normal.
The cervical cord at C4/C5 level shows T1 hypo and T2 hyperintensity.
At C4-5 and C5-6 levels: Disc bulges are causing thecal sac indentaions and bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.
Impression:
• Focal myelomalacia/myelopathy at C4/C5 level.
• Mild degenerative disc disease.
• C4-5 and C5-6 levels: spinal canal stenosis and neural foraminal narrowing due to mild disc bulges.
Its was indeed a plesent surprise to read an article in the TOI on how stem cell had helped a motor neuron patient being treated in your hospital.I am Priti Mokadam My brother has been suffering from MND for the past 3 years, he is now 39 yrs old. He is in very bad condition , he cannot stand properly, he cannot move his hands properly, he cannot sleep and talk properly it means he is completely on wheel chair , liquid diet , givind bed pan etc.pls send me your suggestion