To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

News Staff : Mar 5, 2013  University of California, San Diego Health Sciences

"After my injury, I was told I would never walk again. All I could do was move from my wheelchair to my bed or a chair. After surgery with Dr. Brown, I could put my foot flat on the ground to walk. With physical therapy, everything just gets better and better. I'm a firm believer in never giving up." –Rick Constantine

(San Diego, CA)—After four years of confinement to a wheelchair, Rick Constantine, 58, is now walking again after undergoing an unconventional surgery at University of California, San Diego Heath System to restore the use of his leg. Neurosurgeon Justin Brown, MD, performed the novel 3-hour procedure.

"Following a car crash, Mr. Constantine had a brain stem stroke that caused paralysis on the right side of his body. His leg muscles became so severely spastic that he could not walk," said Brown, director of the Peripheral Nerve Program at UC San Diego Health System. "Our team performed a delicate surgery to reduce input from the nerves that were causing the muscles to over contract to the point of disability."

"After my injury, I was told I would never walk again. All I could do was move from my wheelchair to my bed or a chair," said Constantine, a former NASCAR crewmember. "After surgery with Dr. Brown, I could put my foot flat on the ground to walk. With physical therapy, everything just gets better and better. I'm a firm believer in never giving up." (Photo: Dr. Brown/UCSDNews)

Prior to surgery, Constantine underwent Botox treatments and physical therapy in an attempt to restore the use of his leg. The results were positive but minimal. An additional nerve conduction study, called an electromyogram (EMG), identified the muscles causing the dysfunction.

"When all other options did not produce satisfying results, we opted for surgery," said Brown. "With the EMG, we identified the over-excited nerves that needed to be downgraded. Mr. Constantine had surgery on a Friday and within days was in physical rehabilitation. Two weeks later he was walking without a walker and has even completed a 1-mile race without assistance."

The surgery, called a selective peripheral neurotomy, is a procedure performed under a microscope. Brown makes an incision behind the knee to reach the tibial nerve. He then selectively trims back the troublesome nerve branches by up to 80 percent. Cutting the nerve reduces the "noise" being relayed back to the spinal cord, which causes the spasticity.

Brown, who also serves as co-director of the Center for Neurophysiology and Restorative Neurology at UC San Diego Health System, said the advantage to this approach is that the muscle is preserved and there is no need to cut or lengthen the tendon.

"Depending on the specific patient and their medical history, selective peripheral neurotomy may be appropriate for patients with brain and spinal cord injury from strokes or tumors, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis."

No special post-operative care is required as the sutures are absorbable. Rehabilitation can begin 72 hours after the procedure.

Constantine underwent physical therapy at VIP Neuro Rehabilitation Center in San Diego.

The surgery, seldom performed in the United States, is more common in France and Japan. Brown has performed this surgery on six patients. Patients requiring information on this procedure should call 858-657-7000.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

PASS IT ON… Here Is How You Watch the Super Bowl 'All-American Halftime Show' Sponsored by TPUSA

After Impressive $1 Million Monday Box Office Haul, Amazon MGM Expanding 'Melania' into 200 More Theaters

Former Lesbian Goes from 'Borderline Satanism' to God Encounter: 'He'll Completely Transform Your Life'

'We're Under Attack': Jewish New Yorkers Blame Mayor Mamdani as Antisemitism Explodes

Illegal Alien Semi-Truck Driver Kills Amish Family in Head-On Crash; He Entered US Under Joe Biden

The President Unveils Drug Savings Website 'Trump Rx'

Trump Stops Tax Dollars from Funding Transgender Ideology in Other Countries

Planned Parenthood Drops Lawsuit Trying to Get Federal Funding Back from Trump

DOJ: Benghazi Attack Suspect Arrested, Will Face Charges in US; 'Time Will Not Stop Us from Going after These Predators'

A Cry from the Heart of the Nation: The 2026 National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance

Savannah Guthrie Pleads for Prayers, Kathie Lee Gifford Asks Believers to 'Bombard Heaven'

Muslims Target TX High Schools, Pass out Qurans, Hijabs

Elon Musk's Offices Raided amid Alleged Criminal Activity on Grok

Human Trafficking Crackdown Nets More than 600 Suspects, Rescues 170 Victims, Including 14 Children

Ryan Wesley Routh Sentenced to Life in Prison for Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump and Assault of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer

Good News: Another Major Medical Group Denounces Trans Surgeries (Mutilation) for Children

President Trump's Huge Announcement at the National Prayer Breakfast

The Prince of Nigeria Grew Up: How to Spot and Protect Yourself from AI and Phishing Scams

Epstein Files Expose Links To Transgender Ideology's Wealthiest Backers

Praying for Trump's 'Quiet Hammer!'

Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner

Aimee Herd, Editor