Myomo, a wearable medical robotics company, has received approval to use its MyoPro wearable device to assist young adults suffering from any disease or injury leaving them with a paralyzed or weakened arm. MyoPro helps adolescents suffering from cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, and other conditions, restore motion and functionality. MyoPro is also being tested on Acute Flaccid Myelitis (“AFM”) patients with promising results.
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Zeke Dees, the first adolescent user to be fitted with MyoPro, has regained his independence after almost a decade of only having use of one arm and credits his MyoPro device for transforming his life.
Zeke suffered a life-altering ATV accident when he was 8-years old. His doctors discovered that he suffered a brain injury, a spinal cord injury, and a brachial plexus injury. After undergoing surgery and comprehensive therapy, Zeke made partial recovery. The brachial plexus injury (BPI) to his shoulder, left his arm completely paralyzed. Subsequently, he had to try to do everything again with one functional arm, reported Business Wire.
“The brachial plexus is the network of nerves that sends signals from your spinal cord to your shoulder, arm, and hand. There aren’t a lot of non-invasive, clinical interventions for BPI that produce the same results as the MyoPro,” said Liz May, pediatric occupational therapist at Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago. “With the help of the MyoPro, we are seeing patients drastically improve their range of motion, spontaneous use, and function of their involved upper extremity, despite paralysis. This device has allowed my patients to find a new state of independence, which has completely transformed their outlook on life.”
Since being fitted with a MyoPro, Zeke has completely changed his attitude and has been able to resume activities his injury previously hindered him from doing such as cutting his food, playing pool and helping with chores around the house.
“My MyoPro device has changed my life dramatically. Not only has it allowed me to gain my independence back, but it’s brought strength back to my left arm,” said Zeke Dees. “I got my brace when I was 17 and I can’t imagine life without it. It’s already helped me with the activities of daily living that I couldn’t do before.”
Use of the MyoPro robotic brace is continuing to expand and is reaching youth through highly regarded rehabilitation centers including Easterseals, Shriner’s Hospitals and esteemed children’s hospitals in several cities including Cleveland, Boston, Dallas and Cincinnati. MyoPro has more recently been fitted and delivered to cerebral palsy patients at some of these facilities with promising early results.
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“Zeke is just one of many success stories from Myomo patients who have significantly regained the use of a once paralyzed limb. His personal story is yet another example of Myomo’s commitment to helping restore function in the arms and hands of individuals who are suffering from the effects of a neuromuscular disease or injury. We are looking forward to providing more adolescents a chance to improve their quality of life, just like Zeke has,” concluded Paul R. Gudonis, Chairman and CEO of Myomo.
