By

The Indian Practitioner

February 7, 2026

In a remarkable recovery that underscores both medical precision and compassionate care, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, helped a 66-year-old woman with advanced Parkinson’s disease reclaim her mobility, facial expressions, and emotional presence through Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).

After years of progressive disability, the intervention enabled her not only to move better but also to reconnect with daily life and personal independence.

A Long and Debilitating Journey with Parkinson’s Disease

The patient had lived with Parkinson’s disease for more than 12 years. Over time, her condition deteriorated significantly. She became extremely frail, weighed only 30 kilograms, and depended entirely on others for even basic movement. Her walking turned rigid and painful, medications lost effectiveness, and she developed the characteristic “masked face” seen in advanced Parkinson’s, with almost no facial expression.

As her symptoms progressed, daily life narrowed to mere survival, stripping away her independence and emotional engagement.

Evaluating DBS in a High-Risk, Fragile Patient

As per the press release, the patient was evaluated by Dr. Manish Baldia, Consultant Functional Neurosurgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, who discussed the option of Deep Brain Stimulation. DBS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that helps regulate abnormal brain signals responsible for Parkinson’s symptoms.

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Given her severe frailty and extremely low body weight, the decision required careful consideration and detailed counselling. “We took time to explain every aspect of the procedure to the family,” Dr. Baldia said. “Their questions reflected genuine concern, which is essential when making such complex decisions. Importantly, very low body weight alone does not contraindicate DBS.”

Precision Surgery with Individualised Care

After meticulous preoperative planning and advanced brain targeting, the surgical team performed the DBS procedure successfully without complications. The team paid special attention to surgical precision, considering the patient’s fragile physical condition.

Following surgery, the doctors initiated gradual and highly individualised post-operative programming to optimise outcomes while ensuring safety.

Remarkable Physical and Clinical Improvements

In the weeks following DBS, the patient showed significant improvement. Her muscle rigidity reduced, walking became smoother, and facial expressions slowly returned. Severe abdominal discomfort eased, and the medical team eventually discontinued Parkinson’s medications altogether.

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Notably, she gained 7–8 kilograms, reflecting improved appetite, physical strength, and overall health.

An Emotional Transformation Beyond Medicine

Beyond clinical recovery, the emotional change deeply moved her family. They observed her returning to simple, personal routines—choosing her clothes, applying cream, and looking at herself in the mirror—activities that had vanished over the years.

One of her children later shared with the treating team that it was the first time in many years they had seen her smile naturally and celebrate festivals with genuine joy.

Restoring Dignity Through Functional Neurosurgery

Reflecting on the outcome, Dr. Baldia emphasised the broader impact of DBS. “This procedure is not only about improving movement. It’s about restoring dignity, confidence, and the sense of self that Parkinson’s slowly takes away,” he said.

A Testament to Patient-Centred Advanced Care

This case highlights how advanced Deep Brain Stimulation, combined with expert neurosurgical skill and a patient-first approach, can meaningfully transform lives—even in the most advanced and fragile stages of Parkinson’s disease. At Wockhardt Hospitals, such integrated care continues to redefine what is possible for patients facing complex neurological conditions.