In a remarkable recovery that exemplifies both medical precision and compassionate care, Wockhardt Hospital in central Mumbai helped a 66-year-old woman with advanced Parkinson’s disease regain her mobility, facial expressions, and emotional presence through deep brain stimulation (DBS).
After years of progressive disability, this intervention not only allowed her to move better, but also regained her daily life and personal independence.
A long and debilitating journey with Parkinson’s disease
The patient had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for over 12 years. Over time, her condition deteriorated significantly. She became extremely frail, weighing only 30 kilograms and was completely dependent on others for even basic movements. Her gait became stiff and painful, her medication stopped working, and she developed the characteristic “mask face” of advanced Parkinson’s disease, with little expression.
As her symptoms progressed, daily life reduced to mere survival, robbing her of independence and emotional involvement.
Evaluation of DBS in high-risk and frail patients
According to a press release, the patient was evaluated by Dr. Manish Bardia, a consultant functional neurosurgeon at Wockhardt Hospital, and options for deep brain stimulation were discussed. DBS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that helps modulate the abnormal brain signals that cause Parkinson’s symptoms.
Given her severe frailty and extremely low body weight, the decision required careful consideration and detailed counseling. “We took the time to explain every aspect of the surgery to the family,” Dr. Baldia said. “Their questions reflect genuine concerns, which is essential when making complex decisions like this. Importantly, very low body weight is not the only contraindication to DBS.”
Precision surgery with individual care
After careful preoperative planning and advanced brain targeting, the surgical team successfully performed the DBS surgery without any complications. The team took into account the patient’s fragile physical condition and paid special attention to the precision of the surgery.
After surgery, doctors began a gradual and highly individualized post-operative program to optimize results while ensuring safety.
Significant physical and clinical improvement
In the weeks following DBS, the patient showed significant improvement. Muscle stiffness has decreased, walking has become smoother, and facial expressions have gradually returned. The severe abdominal discomfort subsided, and the medical team eventually stopped the Parkinson’s medication altogether.
Specifically, her weight increased by 7 to 8 kilograms, reflecting improvements in her appetite, strength, and overall health.
Emotional transformation beyond medicine
Beyond the clinical recovery, the emotional transformation deeply touched her family. They observed her returning to simple, personal routines that had been forgotten over the years, such as choosing clothes, applying creams, and looking at herself in the mirror.
One of her children later told the treatment team that it was the first time in years that he had seen her smiling naturally and celebrating festivals with genuine joy.
Restoring dignity through functional neurosurgery
Reflecting on the results, Dr. Baldia highlighted the far-reaching impact of DBS. “This procedure doesn’t just improve movement; it restores the dignity, confidence and sense of self that Parkinson’s disease gradually takes away,” he says.
A testament to advanced patient-centered medical care
This case highlights how advanced deep brain stimulation therapy, combined with expert neurosurgical techniques and a patient-first approach, can meaningfully transform lives, even in the most advanced and vulnerable stages of Parkinson’s disease. At Wockhardt Hospital, this integrated care continues to redefine what is possible for patients facing complex neurological conditions.