The individual, who has been crawling for 10 years due to myelomeningocele preventing normal bowel and bladder function, is undergoing treatment at Xiao Chuan-Guo Hospital

Who would have thought that this boy, now almost like a normal person, is Li Xiaojun, the Jiangmen boy who crawled and was widely reported by the media? In 2015, thanks to Dr. Ma Changqing from Jiangmen Wuyi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and after treatment by Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo and Professor Gao Chao at Shenzhen Xiao Chuan-Guo Hospital, Xiaojun ended his 14-year ordeal of incontinence and crawling on the ground. Let’s review Xiaojun’s condition and recovery process.

No Cure, Near DespairWhen Xiaojun was born, he had a round lump in his lumbosacral region, which doctors identified as a congenital disease that was incurable. They even advised his parents to give up on him, but they didn’t lose hope and continued seeking treatment.

At nine months old, Xiaojun was diagnosed with congenital myelomeningocele and clubfoot. The doctors at the time were unsure about correcting the clubfoot and only removed the lump. However, the outcome was not significant.

Xiaojun’s parents visited several hospitals, but the doctors all said that his condition was essentially incurable. They were close to despair as Xiaojun, suffering from congenital spina bifida and myelomeningocele, could not control his bowel or bladder and had lower limb deformities due to spinal nerve compression. Xiaojun’s parents could only watch as he crawled on the ground for over a decade, unable to go to school like other children.

A Decade Later, Hope RekindledDuring a free medical clinic, Dr. Ma Changqing from Jiangmen Wuyi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital discovered Xiaojun and shared his condition on social media. Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo learned about Xiaojun through this post. With the help of kind-hearted individuals and organizations, over 300,000 yuan was quickly raised, and Xiaojun was admitted to Shenzhen Xiao Chuan-Guo Hospital for treatment.

Three Major Surgeries, RebirthUpon admission, Professor Xiao conducted a comprehensive examination and diagnosed Xiaojun with myelomeningocele, tethered cord syndrome, lumbosacral spina bifida, neurogenic bladder, clubfoot, pubic ramus deformity, right hip subluxation, and an ulcerated right foot.

After consultations with multiple experts, it was initially planned to correct Xiaojun’s feet first, followed by the Xiao procedure. However, due to severe osteomyelitis in his right foot, which involved six bones, and the risk of inflammation spreading, it was decided to first correct his left foot, then perform the Xiao procedure, and correct his right foot after controlling the osteomyelitis.

On July 23, 2015, Professor Gao Chao performed several surgeries on Xiaojun’s left foot, including Z-lengthening of the Achilles tendon, posterior tibial tendon, total toe flexor tendons, shortening of the anterior tibial tendon, and fusion of the calcaneocuboid and talonavicular joints.

On July 31, 2015, with Xiaojun’s left foot recovering well, Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo performed the Xiao procedure, tethered cord release, and myelomeningocele repair surgeries. The operations, lasting over an hour, went very smoothly.

In October 2015, with Xiaojun’s right foot osteomyelitis under control, Professor Gao Chao performed corrective surgery on his right foot. Xiaojun’s recovery was remarkable. Professor Gao stated that while there’s no solution for dead motor nerves, sensory nerve damage can be repaired through surgery. After correcting both feet and with the aid of orthotics and exercise, Xiaojun could eventually walk independently.

Rapid Recovery, Goodbye to CrawlingFour months after the Xiao procedure, Xiaojun gradually regained normal urinary function, becoming the fastest among thousands of beneficiaries. He also began practicing walking and no longer crawled on the ground.

Xiaojun’s waist also recovered well. His mother said that he had no strength in his waist before the surgery, but now his left limbs have sensation, and his waist has some strength. They are very grateful to the expert team at Shenzhen Xiao Chuan-Guo Hospital for giving a child who suffered from incontinence for 14 years a chance at rebirth.

Now, Xiaojun has had his leg casts removed and can easily stand up, even on one foot. His legs have thickened, his feet are warm, and he has regained sensation! Xiaojun has not only escaped the health threats of urinary infections but can now hope to play and go to school with other children.

The evidence is overwhelming, and the touching images and real cases prove the significant change the Xiao procedure brings to patients. Currently, only Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo’s Xiao procedure can effectively solve the challenges of incontinence caused by spina bifida and paraplegia.

Thanks to Dr. Ma Changqing for discovering and helping Xiaojun, to Professor Gao Chao for performing the lower limb orthopedic surgery, and to the generous donors. We hope more patients with spina bifida like Xiaojun can receive the Xiao procedure in time, regain their health, and be free from pain.