Op Shows How Cutting Edge Equipment Could Help ; Derriford Hospital Gave the Herald Exclusive Access to Major Spinal Surgery to Highlight a Fundraising Drive for Specialist Equipment. Health Reporter Diana Prince Found Out How It Would Benefit Patients

Plymouth Evening Herald, The › March 17, 2011

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Summary

ONE week ago Bob Marshall broke his back in two places when he fell off an eight-foot wall while landscape gardening.

On his own in an isolated area, he crawled 100 yards for help.

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Op Shows How Cutting Edge Equipment Could Help ; Derriford Hospital Gave the Herald Exclusive Access to Major Spinal Surgery to Highlight a Fundraising Drive for Specialist Equipment. Health Reporter Diana Prince Found Out How It Would Benefit Patients

His consultant said he was lucky to avoid paralysis.

The 64-year-old had crushed and broken apart a vertebra half way down his back when he landed on his head and shoulder. But his spinal cord - a delicate bundle of nerves running through the bone - was left intact.

Bob this week underwent an eight-hour operation to reconstruct his spine using titanium screws, rods, a cage and bone grafts.

He was yesterday sitting up ...

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