Marta Fort spoke on PH, Podemos Hablar about an aspect of her life she had previously kept in the background: hemiparesis, a neurological condition she has lived with since childhood that has affected her motor function.
During the program, Ricardo Fort’s daughter revealed that she will undergo a corrective surgery in Minnesota because of the sequelae the condition left on her posture and gait. The procedure fills her with fear, particularly given her father’s medical history: “I’m scared,” she admitted when discussing the procedure.
As she described, her story began when she was very young and she underwent several treatments, including years of physical therapy and the use of orthotics. She also noted that, during childhood, she traveled to China to undergo an experimental treatment.
But, what exactly is hemiparesis and how can it affect a person?
What is Hemiparesis?
Hemiparesis is a reduction in strength or weakness that affects one side of the body, typically the arm and leg on the same side. It arises from changes in the brain or spinal cord areas that control movement.
Unlike hemiplegia, where there is a much more pronounced or complete loss of movement on one side of the body, in hemiparesis mobility is preserved, though it may be reduced or altered.
The way it manifests can vary considerably from one person to another. It may affect walking, balance, coordination, posture, or the use of one hand and arm.
In some cases, the condition is present from childhood and may be related to a brain injury occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. In others, it can appear later as a result of various neurological diseases or injuries.
Therefore, hemiparesis does not describe a single disease, but a motor manifestation that can have different causes.
How It Can Affect Everyday Life
Weakness on one side of the body can make certain daily activities more demanding or require adaptations.
Depending on which areas are affected and the severity of the impairment, a person may have difficulty walking or running, climbing stairs, maintaining certain postures, or performing precise hand movements.
There may also appear an asymmetry in the way one walks or in how the foot is planted, a factor that can lead to postural compensations as time goes by.
In Marta Fort’s case, she explained that the alteration in her gait eventually became associated with a double-curve scoliosis, which is why her doctors proposed corrective surgery.
What Treatments May Be Indicated
Treatment depends mainly on the cause, age, the areas affected, and the level of motor involvement.
Rehabilitation plays a central role and may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercises to improve strength and coordination, and various orthotic devices when needed.
Marta Fort noted that she has 22 years of physical therapy under her belt and that, during childhood, she also used orthotics and underwent other treatments.
“I think the 22 years of physical therapy I’ve had have helped more,” she said, recalling her experience.
Rehabilitation does not necessarily aim solely to restore strength. It can also target improving balance, mobility, coordination, and independence, as well as preventing or reducing certain musculoskeletal complications.
Why Marta Fort Will Undergo Surgery
According to Marta, her doctors currently believe that a surgical intervention can help correct the orthopedic consequences she developed over time.
The young woman explained that the operation will be carried out in Minnesota, United States, and that the recovery will be long. “There are three months with a full spinal brace,” she said when referring to the post-surgery process.
Marta also acknowledged that the decision causes concern within her family due to her father, Ricardo Fort’s, medical history.
Nevertheless, she explained that she believes she is currently in good overall condition thanks to the treatments she has undergone for years and that the surgery aims to improve her quality of life and prevent the problem from continuing to progress.
A Condition That Requires a Personalized Approach
Marta Fort’s story also highlights an important point: not all people with hemiparesis have the same course or require the same treatments.
The approach depends on each case and may require the involvement of different health professionals. Rehabilitation, treatment of motor difficulties, and the management of potential musculoskeletal alterations are part of a process that can last for years.
In this sense, Marta’s experience shows how a neurological condition present since childhood can accompany a person through different life stages and require treatments and strategies that evolve as needs change.
Her next challenge will be to undergo the surgery, which she explained aims to correct the sequelae she developed over the years. “Today, I believe I am at a point where without the surgery I cannot be better,” she stated on PH.
And she concluded with a confession that summarizes the moment she is going through: “I’m scared.”
