Stem Cells and Nanotechnology in Spinal Injury Repair: Difference between revisions

The patient suffered broken lower lumbar vertabrae and nerve damage as a result of her fall. Though doctors<br />were able to reconstruct most of her damaged spinal column, the fragile nature of the vertabrae combined with the severe nerve damage offered no hope that the patient would be able to regain her mobility. This was only achieved by the introduction of specifically-programmed nanites which were able to reverse the nerve damage and strengthen the vertabrae. However, the nature of the injury resulted quicker-than-usual degradation of nerve fibers and already-weak bone. Despite daily injections of nanites with the intention of slowing the damage, all attempts have proven to do so only temporarily. It was estimated that without drastic action, the patient would lose mobility completely by age 30. [[File:Laelspinalinjury_postsurgery.jpeg|100px|right|thumb|Lael's spinal injury after surgery.]]  

As stated previously, factors that could impact the result of the procedures proposed in the methods section include the patient's hybrid physiology, age, gender, diet and exercise routines, and the unique nature of the patient's injuries. Another factor that could have a radical effect is the specific programming of the nanites currently in the patient's body. As with multiple sclerosis, there is concern that the nanites' attempts to repair damage to the nerve fibers is moot in that the myelin sheath surrounding these fibers is degrading to a point that messages to and from the brain are being slowed, resulting in decreased mobility.  

The patient, an otherwise healthy Al-Leyan/Human female in her late 20s, choose to participate in this study due to her rapidly decreasing mobility and the limited number of options available to her due to the nature of her injury. Her career as a Starfleet officer requires that she be in good physical condition and overall good health. She eats a balanced diet and engages in daily exercise ranging from weight-lifting to martial arts sparring sessions. The patient has no family history of cancer or otherwise debilitating illnesses. However, the patient had expressed a recently discovered allergy to Hyronalyn medications used to treat radiation poisoning, contact with the medication resulting in seizures. The patient was prescribed regular doses of Pregabalin to counter the seizures. Further, the patient had an O- blood type, which could have presented complications if she received anything other than O+ or O- blood.  

<h4>Materials, Design, and Procedures</h4>