this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2023
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Spinal implant allows Parkinson’s patient to walk for miles (www.engadget.com)
submitted 2 years ago by Salamendacious@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
19 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

A Parkinson’s patient can now walk 6km (3.7 miles) thanks to an implant targeting the spinal cord. The Guardian reports that the man — 62-year-old “Marc” from Bordeaux, France — developed severe mobility impairments from the degenerative disease. “I practically could not walk anymore without falling frequently, several times a day,” he said in a press release announcing the breakthrough. “In some situations, such as entering a lift, I’d trample on the spot, as though I was frozen there, you might say.” Wearing the spinal implant allows him to walk “almost normally” as the research team eyes a full clinical trial.

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[–] magnetosphere@kbin.social 42 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (16 children)

Stuff like this should be great, but all I can think about is how capitalism will ruin it. Will they only make it an “service” available via subscription, and shut off your ability to walk if you don’t pay? Will it require expensive software updates, or only work if you’ve got wi-fi or a cellular connection? What happens to the patients if the company which owns this patented technology goes out of business?

Managing a chronic problem is much more profitable than curing it completely.

[–] Atropos@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (11 children)

Think smaller - it will be determined 'not medically necessary' by insurance, and cost $100k out of pocket.

[–] ripcord@kbin.social 5 points 2 years ago (5 children)

God damn a bunch of sad sacks in this thread

[–] misanthropy@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

Some of us have had to deal with the American healthcare system :).

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