Neurological revival is typically considered improbable in cases of complete spinal cord injuries (patients with no sensation or movement below the level of injury) even at 48 hours since the injury. However, in Aishwarya’s case, her remarkable willpower and the dedicated as well as timely efforts of her doctors and the multidisciplinary team made her neurological recovery possible which manifested as late as one month after injury and can be seen as a miraculous outcome

• An experienced comprehensive multidisciplinary team for managing spinal cord injuries at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute gives hope of a normal-active life to this young girl who suffered from a catastrophic spinal injury after being pushed by miscreants from second floor that left her paralysed below the ribcage

 In a remarkable display of medical expertise and compassionate care, a team of doctors led by Dr. HS Chhabra, Chief of Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, successfully performed a timely and appropriate surgery on Ms. Aishwarya Saini, a 19-year-old girl who suffered a severe spinal injury while defending herself against assailants. Through the surgery and the subsequent advanced comprehensive rehabilitation and counseling, the team has instilled hope in Aishwarya, offering her the possibility of a normal, active life once again.

Aishwarya, a resident of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, had embarked on a journey to become a naturopathy professional, full of dreams and aspirations. However, her dreams were shattered when she encountered a harrowing incident in April this year. Alone at home with her grandfather, she found herself confronted by two masked men who attempted to apprehend her. In a desperate attempt to escape, Aishwarya sprinted up the stairs with the assailants in pursuit. On reaching the terrace, she cried out for help, but tragically, the criminals pushed her off the second floor, resulting in a fall that left her with a catastrophic spinal injury and resultant paralysis below the ribcage.

Upon immediate admission to Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute on April 15, Aishwarya’s critical condition prompted a swift response from a team of experienced experts, headed by Dr. HS Chhabra. Utilizing their extensive expertise in spine surgery, the team performed a successful operation that provided a glimmer of hope for Aishwarya’s future recovery. Additionally, comprehensive rehabilitation and compassionate counseling were employed to address both the physical and psychological aspects of her trauma. Today, doctors remain optimistic that Aishwarya will make a full recovery in due course of time.

Detailing the severity of Aishwarya’s condition, Dr. HS Chhabra explained, “Upon evaluation at the hospital, she was diagnosed with a Fracture Dislocation T12-L1 with Complete Spinal Cord Injury. We counseled the parents about the prognosis, emphasizing it would depend on any neurological recovery of perianal sensation and voluntary anal contraction within 48 hours of the injury. Without such recovery, the chances of neurological restoration in the lower limbs would be extremely slim. In view of the evidence of improved outcomes with early intervention, urgent surgery was performed on the same day, involving T12-L1-L2 pedicle screw fixation and decompression under general anesthesia.”

Unfortunately, even after the critical 48-hour mark, perianal sensation and voluntary anal contraction remained absent. The attending medical staff kept the family informed about this, leading to a profound sense of devastation for Aishwarya and her loved ones.  They were counseled however that with comprehensive rehabilitation it would be possible for Aishwarya to get back to a normal lifestyle even if from a wheelchair. However, the multidisciplinary team at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute continued their tireless efforts to support Aishwarya and her family, reinforcing that she could lead a fulfilling life, pursue her career in naturopathy, and overcome the challenges posed by her wheelchair-bound condition.

One fine morning, in a miraculous turn of events the routine evaluation revealed that Aishwarya was regaining sensation in her legs.  On June 2, her birthday, further evaluation revealed that she had recovered perianal sensation and voluntary anal contraction, providing her with a divine gift of hope and renewed determination. Through comprehensive rehabilitation, Aishwarya is gradually regaining power in her legs and functionality, defying the odds.

Expressing her gratitude, Aishwarya stated, “I am immensely thankful to the doctors and the entire team who have given me hope to regain my full strength. They encouraged me to engage in wheelchair yoga, and I am excited to once again pursue my career. My dreams were shattered by goons but promising hope comes due to my doctors and family whose strong support was very important in helping me to come out of the great physical and psychological trauma,”

The case manifests that proper and timely management can help improve the prognosis of such devastating injuries. Comprehensive management by a multidisciplinary team is very important to achieve good outcomes.  Acute and surgical management, though very important, is only one component of the comprehensive management.

“Aishwarya’s case also indicates that people in wheelchairs can pursue an active life and their dreams and goals.  Aishwarya getting back to yoga even when paralyzed and in a wheelchair, is a typical example. She has lived up to the dictum “Where there is a will, there is a way,” concluded Dr. Chhabra.