Spinal Cord Injury Treatment in India

Aadya Malhotra, a 28-year-old software engineer...

Aadya Malhotra, a 28-year-old software engineer and avid rock climber, was involved in a serious car accident. She was rushed to the emergency department with immediate paralysis from the waist down and loss of sensation. Imaging revealed a severe fracture and dislocation at the T10-T11 vertebrae, causing significant compression of her spinal cord. Her neurologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended an urgent surgical decompression and stabilization procedure to relieve pressure on the cord and stabilize her spine to prevent further injury. The surgery was long and complex. In the weeks that followed, Aadya was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation unit. While she did not regain the ability to walk, the surgery successfully stabilized her spine, prevented further neurological decline, and allowed her to manage neuropathic pain. With intense physiotherapy, she regained core strength and learned to use a wheelchair with impressive independence. Emotionally, Aadya cycled through profound grief, anger, and despair after the accident, mourning the loss of her active lifestyle. Post-surgery and during rehab, her focus shifted from 'fixing' her legs to rebuilding her life. She found a new community in adaptive sports, returned to work remotely, and became a mentor for newly injured patients, channeling her determination into a new purpose.