Anyone know anything about broken necks??

[JS19]

I know it's a bit of an odd title. On St. Pattys Day my brother and I were involved in a serious automobile accident. I got the worst of it and suffered a large gash across my head, and I also fractured my C2 vertabrae. From what I have heard and researched, this is the same one that Christopher Reeves broke. The doctor explained to me just how lucky I am, it pretty much came down to a little less than 1/4 of inch for me to be here today. As of now I am wearing a halo device, if nobody knows what that is its this metal apparatus thing that wraps around the head and connects the a chest plate. I have 4 screws going in my skull, its purpose is to keep the neck straight for the bone to heal. Anyhow, the dr. told me the bone will probably only heal 80%. Does anyone know what that means? I am already paranoid that say even a year from now when i am all healed, that any type of stress i put on it that it will just crack again. Does 80% mean that I can no longer do activities I used to, such as going to the gym, participating in sports, and other physical activities?? I tried looking it up online but cant seem to find anything. Thanks in advance for any response.

[terpkristin]

Wow. :eek:
I don't know anything about your injury, but I'm hoping for a good recovery for you. I don't know that anyone here can offer you much but good vibes/thoughts/prayers, but maybe one of our resident docs can answer. Also, I recommend asking your doc about this...he (she?) probably has much more experience with it, and knows the full extent of your injury.

Also, keep in mind that things might change. What your doc might say now may change 6 months from now, depending on how your healing has gone.

Either way, good luck, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts for a good recovery.
/tk

[ice4277]

Wow. :eek:
I don't know anything about your injury, but I'm hoping for a good recovery for you. I don't know that anyone here can offer you much but good vibes/thoughts/prayers, but maybe one of our resident docs can answer. Also, I recommend asking your doc about this...he (she?) probably has much more experience with it, and knows the full extent of your injury.

Also, keep in mind that things might change. What your doc might say now may change 6 months from now, depending on how your healing has gone.

Either way, good luck, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts for a good recovery.
/tk

Ditto. I have no idea about the condition, but I wish nothing but the best for your recovery.

[Antmeister]

All I can say is to keep the most positive attitude that you can. Stress tends to diminish the quality of your healing. I have no idea what he means by 80%, but I am sure you will get more information as time goes on. I am still believing that the best outcome will happen for you. Just do the same for yourself.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'd talk to your orthopod about your questions, but it might mean no more contact sports. I doubt it would prevent you from going to the gym or other non-contact activities. I do know that you are very lucky that you weren't paralyzed. Keep focused on that positive.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Just out of curiousity did all of this happen WITH a seatbelt on...?

[Mo.Raider]

I too came up a little short when researching neck injuries to the C-2. I would think that it would have alot to do with the severity of the injury and how much damaged was done to the spinal chord. Rich Gannon injured his C-7 and considered making a comeback, but was told by specialists that it wasn't advisable. I am ignorant of the differences or complexities of the two injuries, but I would think the fact that he was considering playing pro football might mean or give you hope that you could participate in many activities of less physical contact than football. I would just take my time and be very patient and let it fully heal. Listen to your doctor and just know that we have come a long way when it comes to healing these types of injuries. Any way I am sorry to hear about your accident and I pray for your full recovery.

God bless,

Mo

[JS19]

Thanks for the responses. I am def. keeping a very postivie attitude. Iknow how lucky i am and am very thankful. I have a doctors appointment in a 2 weeks so i will def. ask him thee questions. The only reason I asked here was becasue the doctor im seeing now is the neurosurgeon(SP?) from the week i spent in the hospital. He obviously isnt the doctor i know and go to for an illness and whatnot so it's quite hard to get in touch with him.

[JS19]

Sorry, didnt see your response there Ohio State. In all honesty I have no idea. I don't remember anything from about 10pm that night, the accident occured about 4:15am. This question is actually really bothering me because I have no idea if the seatbelt saved my life, or if not wearing one caused this. I do know though that I always wear a seatbelt but the night of the accident i was drinking quite a bit (no i wasnt driving) so I dontknow if i got in the car and put it on, or if i got in the car and just went right to sleep. When the paramedics arrived they found me in the backseat and the passenger seat, which i started off in, was completly destroyed so they didnt know if i had it on. On top of all this in order to get my brother and I out they needed to cut the top of the car off and in the process they cut both seatbelts. So its probably going to be a question I will never find an answer for.

[KevinNU7]

Hey JS after reading a thread you started I thought I would psot here asking for an update. How are things going??

[JS19]

Well, actually this morning I went in for another CT scan. It's been a real tease becasue I have the results on a disk that I can look at at home, but I have no clue what it is im seeing or where I should even be looking. I have an appointment on the 18th and the doc will tell me the results. The 3 possible outcomes are he will tell me everything is healing fine, and its time to take the halo off and put a neckbrace on for a few weeks, or it could be there will be no surgery involved but the halo needs to stay on for a while longer, or my least favorite, things aren't healing well and we will plan a date for surgery.

From what i've been told, although it's no guarantee, but being that i'm 21 and healthy that there should be no problem and it's more than likely the halo can come off this week. So pretty much this is gonna be the longest 2 days of my life, although everyone tells me they can't believe how well i have handled this and such, i'll admit that I can't wait to get this freaking thing off my head and start getting back to a semi normal life.

[terpkristin]

Well, I hope things go well for you on the 18th!!!

Hang in there (and yes, you seem to be handling things remarkably well!). :)

/tk

[saldana]

1. to echo Eagles, you are damn lucky...i dont know how much was explained to you, but essentialy, different body functions are associated with spinal cord injuries at the different vertebra, with anything located below the cord damage being shut down. If i recall correctly, a cord injury from c5 on down results in paralysis below the waist, and c3 on down is paralysis from the neck down, which means your wouldnt even be able to breathe without a machine. if you dont get artifical ventilation very fast in those types of injuries, you die of suffication because your lungs just stop.

as far as the 80% thing goes, i think the problem will be one of limited activity involving high speeds and stresses (i wouldnt go on too many roller coasters) because the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebra arent able to be fused, irrc. someone above mentioned Rich Gannon, who had a C7, but those vertebra can be fused to the ones next to them for additional strength (see also kurt angle)

you are indeed a lucky man, let us know how you continue to do.

here is a link i found with some helpful information
http://www.sci-info-pages.com/facts.html