A stroke survivor who suffered a stroke in August 2023 shares her pre-treatment challenges and records her real-time observations following Perispinal Etanercept (PSE) treatment at the Institute of Neurological Recovery.
The video documents patient-reported updates across multiple functional areas, including pain reduction, hand and finger movement, and unassisted walking during her post-treatment evaluation.
Patient-Reported Changes Featured in This Video
- Pain Relief & Shoulder Relaxation: Prior to treatment, the patient reported persistent left-sided pain (rated 6/10) affecting her shoulder, arm, leg, and hip. Post-treatment, she describes her shoulder as no longer stiff or painful and notes an absence of pain in her hip while walking.
- Hand & Finger Extension: The patient demonstrates opening her left hand and extending her fingers past her thumb—a degree of movement she noted was previously impossible without manual assistance or strain.
- Unassisted Gait & Balance: During her evaluation, the patient demonstrated walking down the hallway without using her cane or leaning to either side, reporting improved balance and hip stability.
- Sensory Overload & Fatigue Reduction: The patient previously experienced severe sensory overload, rapid fatigue, and left-sided spatial neglect. Following the procedure, she noted increased physical stamina during movement tests.
Read Video Transcript
*Transcript generated by YouTube
On August 14th, on my birthday, 2023, when I got airlifted to the hospital, they told me I had had a stroke, a hemorrhagic stroke. And they told me 6 months later that 6 months is you that’s the most improvement you’ll see. In my heart, I couldn’t accept it. I said, “No, I just cannot accept that.” So, I said, “Oh, seek and you shall find.” And so I started seeking uh research on stroke recovery and you popped up into my feed feed and I said, “Oh, wow. This is such encouraging news.” Now tell us about your stroke. What kind of problems has it caused? Uh left side. I I can’t use my left arm and hand and like I used to. It took my ability to walk, my balance. I can’t do higher order mathematics like I used to. Okay. and everything is irritable to me now. I learned there’s a term for that. They say it’s called some kind of sensory overload. Uh and this left side is just really stiff. A lot of spasticity. This left side, it hurts all day every day. On a scale of 0 to 10, how much is it? I would call it a six. Uh it starts here in my shoulder, goes down maybe to the middle of my left arm, my left leg. It it it it hurts from here to maybe right here. Uh they say I have uh left sight neglect. So my peripheral vision isn’t what it used to be. And yes, I’ve noticed I wear out easily. Uh if I go from here, just walking up and down the hallways, my hips start hurting. I have to struggle just to get it to go.
[clears throat] That takes a lot of effort. Oh yeah. Okay. So, I’m hoping the shot will give me that boost in uh physical therapy, just a little extra kick, you know, okay to hopefully push me over to the next part of my recovery.
I have been looking and researching since 2023 and I’m finally here. What a blessing. And Dr. Dr. Tobinick the world. We thank God for you for your research and for your studies. What a blessing. It’s not hurting. And my shoulder is not hurting. It’s not stiff and angry.
That’s the furthest it’s been. Yes. Move. It’s It moved. I see. You don’t have to turn. [clears throat] I went like that. Like it almost came up above my thumb. I see it.
You never been able to do that?
That part was different. I could never give them get them past this fingernail here, but this time it went over my thumb.
And you’re moving your hand way better. Way better. I’m just glad to see it’s moving. Period. Yeah, way better.
Oh, that feels good. How many years has it been since I’ve been on my feet? I’m trying. You’re walking without You’re walking without your cane, sister. Amen. I I’ll save my praise for when I get home. Oh my god. Oh my god. Yeah, it is astonishing. Do you understand what you’re doing? Yes. You’re walking without your cane.
Wow. Wow.
Wow. Is there any pain? No. I don’t feel any pain in my hip. Wow. That’s all I can say is I am speechless. Yeah, I’m amazed. I don’t even know what else to say other than wow. Astonishing. Astonishing. A for astonishing. Hey. [laughter] Wow, sister. Yay, girl. Oh. Oh, yes. Girl. Yeah. Just imagine some
wow. Hey. Yeah. Wow. Did you see my fingers move? I saw them. And they never have been able to do that unless you go. I didn’t have to grunt. But I’m really tripping off that you was able to walk without your cane and I didn’t fall to the left or to the right.
Wow. Can you believe it? Yes, Dr. I can believe it. Go Dr. Tobinick. Go Dr. Tobin. Go. Watch out PT. Here I come. [laughter]
Wow. Wow. That’s all I can say. This is the day that the Lord has made. We’re going to rejoice and be glad in it. Dr. Tobinick, we thank God for you and your staff. Thank you so much. We appreciate you. The world needs you. Thank you, doctor. Okay. Oh, we appreciate you so much. You’re very welcome.
