Healthwatch: Pump gets local woman moving again
By: Chelly Boutott
Updated: March 14, 2013
Green Bay, Wis.(WFRV) -- Due to Multiple Sclerois, Joyce David lost the ability to bend her legs.
But that all changed, thanks to a little pump that wa put in at Aurora Baycare Medical Center.
But that all changed, thanks to a little pump that wa put in at Aurora Baycare Medical Center.
Joyce David was diagnosed with MS five years ago- and she has maintained a good attitude, even though she's needed a wheelchair to get around.
As the disease progressed, so did her disability. Joyce says her legs and arms were so stiff that she couldn't bend them. In addition, she would fall at least once a day because she had no control of her extremities and they were stiff.
That condition is called spasticity. Daily activities become painful or impossible.
Then, this past October, Joyce went to Dr. Eric Dvorak at Aurora Baycare Medical Center, who specializes in spacticity.
He suggested a intrathecal baclofen pump. Dr. Dvorak explains it as , " a device implanted under your skin inside your stomach that has a catheter that runs into the spinal canal."
He suggested a intrathecal baclofen pump. Dr. Dvorak explains it as , " a device implanted under your skin inside your stomach that has a catheter that runs into the spinal canal."
The pump delivers - baclofen - more effectively.
Joyce noticed the difference right away. She tells us that she could bend her legs at last.
The pump isn't just for MS, it can help a variety of patients dealing with spasticity.
The treatment has been around for a long time, but Dr. Dvorak doesn't think it is utilized enough, and believes there are many more people who could benefit - like stroke victims or spinal chord and brain injury victims.
To learn more you can call Aurora BayCare or email healthwatch@aurorabaycare.com
To learn more you can call Aurora BayCare or email healthwatch@aurorabaycare.com
