It’s a world-first: A paralysed man, Michel Roccati, with a severed spinal cord has taken his first steps in years

In 2017 Roccati became paralysed after a serious motorcycle accident which caused him to lose all feeling in his legs.

It wasn’t until Swiss researchers, neuroscientist Prof Grégoire Courtine and neurosurgeon Prof Jocelyne Bloch, developed an electric implant that was surgically attached to the patient’s spine which allowed him to walk again.

It’s the first time someone with a complete cut to their spinal cord has regained their ability to walk.

“This is a monumentally huge step forward,”

says Dr Ronaldo Ichiyama at the University of Leeds, UK.

Alongside Roccati, the electrical implant has helped two other patients according to the research team, which has sparked hope for paralysed people to gain back their independence.

Even though this is a major advance in technology, Dr Ichiyama says this needs to be seen in more people before everyone gets “too excited”.

The gift of technology

Michel Roccati called the technology a “gift” and now utilises the implanted device for up to two hours a day to go on walks by himself.

The range of simulation programs also allows him to also stand, cycle and swim.

But researchers are emphasising that it isn’t a cure for a spinal injury and is still too complex for everyday life. It is expected that the technology will continue to be developed and strengthened.

Written by Savannah Pocock