Cartaze H. Ragland -spinal cord injury (USA) Update on December 25, 2012

Cartaze had received 2 cycles of stem cell treatments done by Dr. Li Ke Wu and Dr.Xiaojuan Wang, after the treatment, he was stronger than before, and he had made obvious improvements. .

Name: Cartaze H. Ragland

Sex: Male

Country: USA

Age: 25

Diagnosis: Spinal Cord Injury (Cervical segments).

Beginning of treatment: July 17, 2007

Medical history before treatment:

One night as Cartaze was heading home from a friend's house; he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed his car into a tree. The injuries he sustained resulted in paralysis from the chest down. Doctors at home were not at all optimistic about his condition and not even physical therapy was made available to him. Cartaze, however still had hope of some improvement and decided to come to China for stem cell treatment.

From the time of Cartaze's accident until his arrival to Beijing, Cartaze had been confined to a bed. On arrival to Beijing, it was discovered that he had developed large bedsores and sheet burns on both his legs which had become seriously infected. Because of this, he had suffered third degree burns on the lower parts of his legs. Since he had lost sensation due to the accident, he was unable to feel that the injury was so severe.

On arrival to China, the muscles in both hands and his legs had wasted away and the joints of his fingers and wrists were rigid. This meant that doing chores was extremely difficult for him and he needed much assistance with his daily life activities. The motor range of his shoulders was also limited; he could not lift his arms higher than his head. While the muscles in his arms were very weak, there was also no strength in his leg-muscles, making it impossible for Cartaze to walk by himself. He could not move his legs at all, even with effort.

After treatment:

Cartaze noticed an improvement very soon after he arrived, the burn wounds and the bedsores healed and the infection which had spread over a large percentage of his body was treated. After recovery from his disease, he felt that he was stronger than before. After his second stem cell implantation, the muscles in his hands, arms and legs became stronger than before and he was able to do more things for himself. He can now move the right hand freely. The muscles in his wrist and fingers are stronger than before and the wrist joints and shoulder joints are not as rigid as they were. His motor range is wider than before; he can lift his arms and do a circular movement easily. The fingers can move in a more flexible way than they could before, making it easier for him to lift a cup and drink or put his glasses on. Now he can type on the computer with his little finger. After the stem cell treatment, he had more sensation in his body; before, he only had some sensation in his legs when they were hit quite hard, but now he also has sensation when, for example, the doctor changes the dressing for him. Even though he still can not stand up, he can move his legs and feet a little on his own.

Cartaze has now been at the hospital twice for treatments and feels he is improving greatly each time he is here. During physical therapy he is making great progress and can move himself around more freely than before. He also has sensation when he urinates or has bowel movements. In his legs and feet, his muscles can now contract. Cartaze has strong hope that he will walk again someday soon.

After they had gone back to the USA, his mother sent us several emails updating us on his condition:

"Cartaze can feed himself with his right hand; I am so happy that I made the trip to get help for Cartaze. I am really thankful for the improvements and the progress he is making, hopefully we will be back next year."

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October 26, 2007

"Cartaze is getting stronger, he can catch his basketball between his wrists, his right thumbs bend a little, his legs are healing real well, and the heels are practically healed."

January 07, 2008

"Cartaze can hold his balance when I put him in a sitting position; he was not able to do so a few weeks ago. Also Cartaze is able to move his pointer finger now."

January 24, 2008

"Cartaze is coming along really good, with the bed raised-up, he can push himself into a sitting position and hold his balance for quite awhile, he is really getting strong, and his legs are still moving a lot."

November 16th, 2008

"Dr. Xi: My legs, feet, toes, and my bottom, the tingling or sensation is getting stronger...I can't move them yet, but I can still feel it when I try to move them... The other day I was sitting in the wheelchair, and my leg stood straight out by itself. My fingers have been moving a lot, but I don't know if they are moving by themselves..."

December 6th, 2008

"He is still having improvements. He has some feelings in his feet now. Also he is able to feel his stomach muscles below the injury now."

February 8th, 2009

"Cartaze is having new feelings with his body: he is itching, in groin area he is having feeling, he really is feeling in his heels now, his fingers are more flexible, more grasp, and he is still having a lot of leg movements more up and down. "

October 30th, 2009

"Cartaze is having quiet a lot of new improvements, he is having intense sensation on his low back and buttock's, when I wash him at times he will jump and ask me what I am doing . His grasping is much better , he can hold small things which he could not do before, he can hold a can when drinking juice and he can even use a lighter and he can even stike matches, he canplay the WII, boxing, football, etc. with control, balance has improvement".

June 17th, 2010

Cartaze's mother email to us:

"I have told my son to e-mail you what is going on with him. One thing is he is having more feeling in his body, his body reacts to touch now and he jumps and his hands ball up real tight, his legs has been jumping all over the place (not sideways but straight up), I was standing talking to him.

A few years later, the patient went to Wu Stem Cells Medical Center for the second treatment.

The second round treatment:

Admission Date: 2011-11-22

Days Admitted to the Hospital: 162

Before treatment:

The patient fell and punctured both buttocks one year ago. There is no history of hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis or tuberculosis. There is no history of blood transfusions. There is no history of drug allergies. The vaccination history is not clear.

Admission PE:

Bp: 108/67mmHg; Hr: 78/min. The examination of the heart, lungs and abdomen showed no obvious abnormalities. There was a funnel shaped surface wound on the left buttock. The size was about 2cm*3cm, and the depth was 1-5cm. There were scars left over from the burn wounds on the lower limbs. The skin was tender. There were no bed sores. The feet had mild-non-pitting edema.

Nervous System Examination:

Cartaze was alert and his speech was clear and distinct. The memory, calculation abilities and orientation were normal. Both pupils were equal in size and their diameter was 3.0mms. Both eyeballs could move freely and the pupils reacted normally to light stimulus. The forehead wrinkle pattern was symmetrical. The tongue was centered in the oral cavity and the teeth were shown without deflection. There was moderate muscle atrophy in the big thenar and interosseus muscles of both hands. The muscle strength of both upper limbs was level 5 (not including the hands). The holding power of both hands was level 2; the outreach muscle strength was level 1. The muscle strength of both lower limbs was level 1. There were irregular spasms. The muscle tone of both upper limbs was normal. The muscle tone of both lower limbs was low. The flexion, adduction, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation movements were limited. The flexion of the knee joints was limited and could only bend 80 degrees. The right Achilles' tendon had contracture, resulting in right toefallen. The patient could sit up by himself. With some assistance with moving the lower limbs, the patient could turn over. With some assistance, the patient could transfer himself from the bed to the wheelchair. There were sweat in the head, right upper limb and the right upper half of the trunk from the chest median line and the T8. The shallow sensation above the T3 was normal. The pain sensation below the T3 was diminished. The sensation in the right side of the body between the T3 and T4 segments were diminished, and the pain sensation below the T4 was disappearred. The pain sensation outside both upper lateral C4-C7 was normal, and the pain sensation inside the C8-T2 was diminished, and it was about 60-70% external. The deep sensation above the trunk T3 was normal. The deep sensation between the T4 and T8 was diminished. The deep sensation below the T8 was diminished. The deep sensation outside both upper lateral C4-C7 and inside the T1-T2 was normal. The bilateral C8 lower limbs' topesthesia and kinesthesia was not clear. The bilateral biceps reflex, radial periosteal reflex, triceps reflex and patellar tendon reflex could be elicited. The bilateral ankle reflex was not elicited. The abdominal reflexes were not elicited. The Hoffmann's sign was(-,+), the Rossolimo's sign was(-,+)the bilateral palm jaw reflex was(-,-). The sucking reflex was negative. The bilateral Babinski's sign was negative. His both sides could do the finger-to-nose test in a stable manner. The patient was able to complete the rapid rotation test normally. He had difficulty with heel-knee-shin test. The meningeal irritation sign was negative.

Treatment and Post-treatment:

The patient received neurological rehabilitation.

After treatment:

After rehabilitation therapy, the patient's general condition had improved. Occasionally, the patient had dizziness, shortness of breath and hand tightening during exercises at the standing bed. Bp:100-138/67-80mmHg, Hr: 76-85/min. There was no edema in the lower limbs. Both lower limbs could do the adduction movement slightly in the horizontal position. If you touch his lower limbs slightly, the lower limbs could bend, and the left lower limb could bend more obviously. The muscle tone of both upper limbs was normal. The muscle tone of both lower limbs was increased slightly. The muscle tone of both knee joints and the right ankle joint had increased. The flexion, adduction, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation movements of both hip joints have improved. There were obvious involuntary contractions in both lower limbs during the night time, and the left lower limb is more remarkable. The patient presents kicking. There was some sweating on the first half of the trunk above the T8, and the sweating is not too much. The bilateral patellar tendon reflex has become stronger. The right ankle reflex can be elicited.

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2012-11-16

Hello Doc!,

I'm doing well NO MORE WOUNDS !!!!...Tomorrow morning I will be joining the gym with the swimming pool, I can't wait....

Little lady is getting very big my little Chinese niece is growing up...Thanks for the pictures and Your Doctors statement. I am getting two more statements from my doctors here my primary care doctor and the doctor who did my surgery he did a excellent job. I will give you a direct link to our website when I get your picture and Doc's statement on there so you can see yourself....It may take 3 to five working days...We are in the process of manufacturing them now so our business is going well.... .....make us some $$

SO WE WILL BE BACK SOON WE ARE AIMING FOR THE SPRING..DR.XI YOU BETTER NoT LEAVE !!!! I'M COMING BACK STRONGER !!! WHEN I STAND UP AND TAKE MY STEPS I WANT YOU TO BE THERE....

I will keep better in touch I brought a new computer...

AGAIN THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Much Love

Tez

TEZALINIE

2012-12-25

Hello Dr. Xi,

Mom wanted me to send some pictuers on our Thanksgiving...But dont have them on my computer, I thought I did when I imported them...

But Have something to show you and Dr. Wu and Wang.... I am really working out hard to get STRONGER I'm getting back in groove of things

since after the surgery, that got me a little lazy...But I'm ready and going HARD.....I am lifting 45 pounds.Laying down..and 20 shoulser press front and back...

I'll be getting in the pool about three to four days a week the picture with me face down I'm doing my crocodile death roll...So when I come

back be ready for my exercises be much stronger...and I'm working on balance and should and back muscles...I'll send more pictures...

TEZALINIE

Date: 2013-07-06

Hello Dr. Xi,

Long time have not talk. How are are you and your family? Is everything good with your brother

Or you haven't communicate with him since the incident.

How are parents and grandma?

How is Ziyan? Have you finish your clinical's?

I have been kind of mentally and physical drainged. I have to find something to keep my energy boosted up.

Let me know how you are doing.

Date: 2013-08-03

Hello quick question

Hello Doc How is everyone hope well? I know you are busy & I'll keep short...

My balance is getting really better I work out with no back support. That's how I work out now but when I take smaller breathes my balance is better , but when I start to take bigger breathes my balance goes off ... Why? I'm doing well mom too tell everyone Hello

Bye Dr Xi Can't wait to see you again

Tez

Date: 2013-12-02

Hello Dr. Xi,

We have been thinking about you and wondering how you and your family are doing. How is ZiYan?

How are things going with your clinicals?

Cartaze is doing good and still working hard on his strength.

Tony e-mailed Cartaze and told him he is working at international hospital.

Tell Dr.Wu and Dr. Wang their patient is doing good and still working hard. Cartaze feeling are are getting more sensitive. He can set straight up in the bed, he can dress himself up to hips,etc., Just checking on our favorite doctor.

How are your parents and in laws?

Love,

Deb

Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2013

Hi Lisa,
It is good hearing from you. We miss everyone too.
Cartaze is doing good, he is still working on hard on his upper body strength. Cartaze is swimming, lifting weights, he can sit straight up in the bed by himself, he can dress himself up to his hips. I would sent you some pictures of him swimming but we tried to send some to Dr. Xi but wouldn't upload.

2013-12-30

Cartaze has made new progress, see his pictures:

Date: 2014-01-09

I'm working hard! I have not forgotten what you told me. You pointed at me and whispered "keep sending the message to your legs to MOVE NOW !!!"
;-)
Thank you for the puzzles for me to use my mind and fingers. For some reason my fingers seem to be harder than my legs . My hands still squeeze tightly sometimes. I have noticed when I am in the chair my fingers are really relaxed and flexible.
We are coming back soon ;-)
I will be more & more stronger my balance will be a lot better! I will be ready for those parrlarlar bars & walker with treadmill! I will be able to hold my big body up . You Dr.Wu and Dr.Wang will not be able to push me over with one finger anymore ;-) .

Mom said she was able to send some videos , just a few seconds though :-(

Telll everyone Hello for me please .
I know my man Tony is gone.
Hello to Dr.Wu & Wang

Telllll Bruce Hellllllo !!!

Tez

2014-03-06

Hello Doc
Well I'm reaching out and telling you your boy Tez hasn't stopped working and grinding hard! My leg power is getting stronger and I'm working on trunk and balance. I can really just feel my body alive and ready to go. I'm starting my on workout plan when my equipment comes & the weather warms up, I'm going to be doing outdoor training. I'm going to find away to send videos and exactly show what I'm going to be doing. I'll send pictures so you can get an idea.
Also, do remember that necklace you gave me, well I haven't taken it off since And guess what I can feel the charm swinging across my chess. :-D.
I have many good things going on and my strength is Eye popping :-D . I hope you guys will be ready for me. My first steps will BE THERE !!
And give my favorite doctor a Biggg Hugggg !!
Tell Dr. Wu Dr. Wang Hello and I'LL BE BACK !!! ;-)

Alright Doc
Much love
Tez

Date: 2014-03-28

Hello Dr. Xi,

How are you and your family? How is school?
Your patient is coming along really good. How are your in-laws?

About two days ago, Cartaze start dressing himself. I leave his clothes on the bed for him. I was going to get him ready for his workout, he was already dressed sitting on the side bed. I was really proud of him. He can sit up by himself now and he getting stronger .
Inform Dr. Wu and Dr. Wang of Cartaze newest progress and improvements.
Take Care
Love,
Deb

Date: 2015-7-2

Cartaze is coming along really good, he wheels up the street and down, working
on his punching ball, speed boxing and he still swims. I brought him a standing frame which is helping with pressure bearing and circulation, he can stand for aleast twenty minutes. I will video
him doing his work out schedule.