My 16 year old son some questions

[tomb]

Hello, i never thought i would be posting on any site like this but i am sure all who have posted have thought the same. Friday the 26th my son was on a trampoline and injuried his neck. He was doing a double front flip landed on his face and his body kept going. He walked into the house complaining of severe neck pain and shooting pains in his arms. It hurt him to touvch his arms (severly) like pins and needles. We called 911 and they took him to the ER. They X-rayed, CT and MRI'ed his neck and we then got the news C4-5 fracture with 25% displacment of the spinal cord. All ligiments and cartlage holding the spine together torn. The hospital he was in was a level 2 truma center (no real truma surgen on call). We asked if he could be trnasfered to Chicago they said he was too unstable that moving him in any manner even a helo. was to dangerous that there was nothing protecting the cord. The doctor told us he was lucky to be alive at this point, lucky he could still feel pain and move everything and they did not want to jepordize what he had. They called in a special spine surgeon who said he needed to be operated on right away that his sistuation was critical. We agreed and he went off to surgury. They had to pin, screw and wire everything back together. Post surgury was good he still had all movement and feeling. His left are pain improved dramatically but his right arm is very weak and you cannot even touch it without extreme pain, very sensitive. He was very lucky we all know this and thank our god that he has what he has. He is already home, but with major restrictions on what he can and cannot do.

My questions, does he have a good chance of getting rid of this pain and weakness. Should he start theropy right away or should we let him heel a bit first.

I have read many of the posts on this board and his injury although severe seems to have been fate, as far as extent of damage to his spinal cord. All they saw on MRI was serious brusing and some swelling, no cuts or tears.

Thank-you so much for any replies.

Tom from oswego IL.

[Gary Anderson]

Hey Tom

Welcome to the forums. I am so sorry to read about your son.

Here in the UK, I know that in our spinal units, even if you have no signs of paralysis, you start physio right away.

I would check out with your doctor, however, I am certain that at this stage in his recovery physio would help your son as he has to recover as much as he can in that weak arm. It is already a good sign that he has recovered as much as he has. Also, if the MRI showed swelling and no other serious damage to the cord then he has been very lucky - as you will know from reading here. However, swelling can also cause such pain/weakness. It can take 6 weeks for swelling to go down.

I would certainly give this some thought after speaking with doctors. I was very lucky, at the time of my accident I was a trainee surgeon and I was able to get private physio which certainly helped me.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[cate]

Hi Tom. Very sorry to hear about your son's accident.  It sounds as if he as a very good chance of recovery, my doughter is c5/6  her spinal cord is damaged, and was not discovered for some years.  She is able to walk  and works.  She has weakness on one side  and also numbness pins and needles,.  Sounds as if time is what is needed with your son. plus the physio etc.  That the spinal cord seems not to have permanent damage is very good.  so keep cheerful and patience.
All the best to your fgamily and yhour son
Cate

[tomb]

Well it has been one week since my sons accident and it seems as though i really have a miricle child, or just darn lucky, most likely a little of both. His right arm the one with pain and weakness is improving greatly. You see though now that he is feeling better he thinks he can jump around and do the things he used to do. Good god its only been a week. I think the hardest part for me now is keeping him safe from further damage. KIDS!! Anyhow went to physio and they said he would need three weeks and then the rest we do from home. I really think thouh that the medicene he is taking Lyrica is starting to work, just a little worried this might make him think he is all better when in all reality he still has a broken neck.

[Gary Anderson]

Tomb

You MUST make sure your son takes things easy. He cannot jump around a week after a broken neck no matter how fit and good he feels. Otherwise, the consequences for him are that he will end up like a lot of us on this forum. Despite what he thinks he has suffered a very serious injury.

[cate]

Tomb I  of cause agree with Gary,  you did not say how old your son is, but talk to him and let him know that he canj stilll inflict a lot of damage onto himself.  My daughters injuries to her neck were not found for a long time, and in fact that was only discovered because she had an accident that damage the acl in her knees, which was not repaired properly and since has had a further  3-4 ops on it, and  also acquired foot drop, besides the numbness and pins and needles etc. so after a period of years had a scan and they discovered the c5/6 problems, and that they had flattened a spinal cord, which after so long  will not repair, if not discovered then they said she would have been in a wheelchair by the end of that year.  so impress upon him, that he must take things easy. depending on his age, how you are going to get that thru to him.  important that you do,
Cate

[babyfazt09]

I feel bad for those people who are suffering like this. Life really is so unfair. We can't do anything about it but to accept the fact and be strong enough for whatever life may bring us.