Science & technology | Standing ovation

Spinal implants allow the paralysed to walk, swim and cycle again

The new device works in less than a day after it is fitted

Michel Roccati (left), walks with David Mzee (right), a fellow spinal-implant patient

FOUR YEARS ago Michel Roccati was involved in a motorcycle accident. He suffered what neurologists call a “complete” spinal-cord injury—he lost all sensation below the site of the damage to his spine and he could no longer move his legs. In December last year, however, the young Italian stood up on the streets of Lausanne, Switzerland, and took a short walk.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Standing ovation”

When the ride ends

From the February 12th 2022 edition

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