This is a story of hope, determination, and great innovation coming from the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, where a 33-year-old patient, affected by a severe spinal cord injury, managed to walk again. A result that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago is now a reality thanks to a multidisciplinary approach combining spinal cord electrical stimulation with fully customized orthopedic solutions.
This is the first documented case demonstrating the effectiveness of epidural electrical stimulation in a patient with a conus medullaris injury – one of the most complex areas of the spinal cord. Within the Neuro-SCS-001 clinical trial, coordinated by San Raffaele, Gruppo Humantech played a key role by designing and creating custom orthopedic braces to support the patient’s long and delicate rehabilitation process.
Following the project with dedication and expertise were orthopedic technicians Luca Risi and Ruben La Spada, supported by a specialized team that worked closely with the hospital’s doctors and therapists. The starting point was an in-depth evaluation of the patient’s residual capabilities and muscular activity after surgery. From there, two customized KAFO (knee-ankle-foot orthosis) braces were developed to provide stability, comfort, and maximum functionality for daily movement.
Advanced materials such as titanium and carbon fiber were chosen to ensure lightness, strength, and elasticity – key features for providing safety and fluidity in every step. The knee joints offer stability when standing and can be easily unlocked for sitting, promoting more natural movement. At the ankle level, modular joints allow for personalized dynamic control, adjusting plantar flexion and dorsiflexion to the patient’s needs.
The process began with anatomical measurements, followed by technical design and practical fabrication of the braces. After initial delivery, each device was tested and progressively adapted based on real-world use, until the optimal configuration was achieved.
Four years ago, a traumatic injury at the T11-T12 level drastically changed this young man’s life. But today, thanks to the neurostimulator implant, a personalized rehabilitation program, and the essential support of the Gruppo Humantech braces, the patient has achieved extraordinary results. Upon discharge from the hospital, he was already able to walk 58 meters in six minutes. Six months later, the most emotional milestone: walking one full kilometer independently with the help of a walker and the braces.
More than 50% of spinal cord injuries involve the conus medullaris area: this experience brings new hope, showing how the combination of advanced neurostimulation and customized orthoses can restore autonomy, dignity, and quality of life. Gruppo Humantech’s contribution is part of this vision with a clear mission: to place technology at the service of people, building – step by step – a better future.
