Innovative Therapy Gives New HopeTo Stroke Survivors Living With Pain (NAPS)—Though in his midforties, Arthur Cruz sometimes wished he were dead. A stroke had left him with such intense muscle spasms and pain in his legs and back that he could barely walk without assistance. “T couldn’t do (anything),” said Cruz. “I would do nothing at home. We'd go to the store and I would do nothing. There’d be parties for the family and I would do nothing, and most of the time I’d sit down (just) watching, watching.” For several years, Cruz underwent painful physical therapy and tried various medications. None of the treatments helped. The muscles in his arms and legs began to tighten and ‘freeze’ into uncomfortable, painful positions. That’s when a doctor started Cruz on Intrathecal Baclofen (ITB) Therapy. Today Cruz can walk up a flight of stairs, cook, feed the dog, and even clean the house,all without pain. ITB Therapy involves surgically implanting a small disc- shaped pump in the abdominal wall. Once inside the body, the pumprelease controlled doses of the drug baclofen through a catheter into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. The drug relaxes the muscles and prevents them from tightening. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the nation’s third leading cause of death. And it’s the number one cause of adult disability in the United States. Of the more than Stroke Symptoms Sudden numbness or weaknessofface, arm orleg, especially on oneside of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden troubleseeing in one or both eyes Suddentrouble walking, dizziness,loss of balance or coordination Sudden severe headache with no known cause provided by National Stroke Association @ four million stroke survivors in America, nearly two-thirds have moderate to severe disabilities. Spasticity, a condition in which tight, stiff muscles and joints make movementof the armsorlegs diffi- cult or uncontrollable, can be very painful for stroke survivors and can impedethe ability to perform simple everyday tasks, such as bathing, dressing or walking. Initial treatment for spastic- ity usually includes a combination of physical exercises and oral medications. Other therapies may include nerve-blocking injections of Botox or Phenol, or ITB Therapy. As a last result, significantly reduced muscle tightness and increasedtheir ability to use their armsandlegs. “(ITB Therapy) is the best thing to have happened to me,” said Dr. Gerard Francisco of the Institute for Rehabilitation Research in Houston.“I’m a reha- bilitation specialist and many times we only try to reduce the disabilities and impairments of our patients, but now we can be more proactive. This therapy has allowed (patients) to respond better to their physical or occupational therapy.” The Food and Drug Administration approved ITB Therapy in 1996 as a treatment option for stroke survivors, but its use by stroke patients has not been widespread. According to experts, the therapy remains effective after many years andside effects are minimal. Stroke survivors experiencing muscle tightness or spasms may be candidates for the device. Those interested should consult their doctors. Arthur Cruz credits ITB Ther- apy with restoring his quality of life. “The pump helped me hang in some patients may undergo orthopedic surgery. there.” The National Stroke Association is an independent, national nonprofit organization devoting icant improvement in the mobility stroke—including prevention, New research has shownsignif- of stroke survivors treated with ITB Therapy. A recent study at 100 percent of its resources to the University of Alabama, Birm- treatment, rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors and their families. For more information, treated 6537) or visit www.stroke.org. ingham found that patients with ITB Therapy call 1-800-STROKES (1-800-787-
