Work

Lumbar enlargement spinal cord stimulation for severe spasticity and motor function improvement after traumatic brain injury: a case report

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This case report describes the successful use of epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in managing severe, refractory spasticity in a 58-year-old male following traumatic brain injury. Despite nearly 8 months of conventional pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation for his tetraplegia, his lower-limb spasticity persisted at Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) grade 3, severely impeding functional recovery. After implantation of a trial and subsequently permanent SCS system at the lumbar enlargement, muscle tone decreased to MAS grade 2 within 48 h, alongside improvements in muscle strength. Over 6 months, stimulation led to a marked reduction in the frequency and severity of spastic episodes. This spasticity relief fundamentally improved the patient's sleep quality and enabled significant functional gains, including assisted standing and pedal stepping. This case demonstrates the positive effect of SCS for a condition often resistant to standard treatments. The results support re-evaluating SCS's therapeutic potential for refractory spasticity caused by TBI and other central nervous system disorders, potentially through mechanisms involving the modulation of spinal cord excitability.

Source: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1754152

Authors: Di Wu, Yaping Wang, Bo Hong

Institutions: Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Yueyang Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Spinal Cord Injury Research

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801