Just found this forum- wife diagnosed central cord syndrome

[tobphil]

Hi; I'm Phil, and my wife, Jan, fell from a horse on New Year's Eve, and is now in a spinal unit.
She is 61, and has limited leg movement. She can touch her nose wth her right hand, but has very limited left arm movement. She has some slight finger movement to her right hand, but none to the left.
Has anyone of a similar age and diagnosis got a story of their progress? Obviously this is very new territory for my son and I; thanks in advance.

[Andy]

hi phil,

sorry to hear of your wifes accident

my own injury is central cord syndrome, as she has movement in her legs her injury will be classfied as an 'incomplete' one

An incomplete spinal cord injury is the term used to describe damage to the spinal cord that is not absolute.  The incomplete injury will vary enormously from person to person and will be entirely dependant on the way the spinal cord has been compromised.

The true extent of many incomplete injuries isn't fully known until 6-8 weeks post injury.  The spinal cord normally goes into what is called spinal shock after it has been damaged.  The swelling and fluid masses showing on any resultant X-ray,  MRI or CT scans, may well mask the true nature of the underlying injury.  It is not uncommon for someone who is completely paralysed at the time of injury to get a partial or very near full recovery from their injuries after spinal shock has subsided.  However there are no guarantees and further recovery may not occur

Central Cord Syndrome: is when the damage is in the centre of the spinal cord. This typically results in the loss of function in the arms, but some leg movement may be preserved. There may also be some control over the bowel and bladder preserved. It is possible for some recovery from this type of injury, usually starting in the legs, gradually progressing upwards.  This is a type of incomplete spinal cord injury

in my case now 15 years on my arms are still very affected, but legs a bit stronger

http://www.spinal-injury.net/what-is-spinal-cord-injury.htm

this page will help you understand more,

please keep us posted, any questions ask away

Andy

[tobphil]

Thanks, Andy; I've also had a look round more of the forum, which has helped. The big problem coming up will be care. Jan is in fact my ex, although we are still pals, and spend Christmases and birthdays together. She lives by herself in Lincolnshire; I live in the Hebrides, and our son in Sheffield, so changes are inevitable. Who, what, and where has yet to be sorted! I don't think that she would see me as her full time carer. I don't know how much help the state provides in cases like this, either.

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Phil

Difficult situation that as obviously despite being an "ex" you are still close. As a medical professional I would suggest that a quiet word at the hospital would set the wheels in motion. Once your wife has stabilised and at a spinal unit for rehabilitation you will no doubt meet up with her doctors and care team and you  can hit them with  all your questions. I would suggest at that time having a word with the resident social care team who work in the unit.

In the meantime, if I can be of any further assistance you can email me by logging into my profile or send me a personal message and I will reply ASAP.

[green1706]

Hi; I'm Phil, and my wife, Jan, fell from a horse on New Year's Eve, and is now in a spinal unit.
She is 61, and has limited leg movement. She can touch her nose wth her right hand, but has very limited left arm movement. She has some slight finger movement to her right hand, but none to the left.
Has anyone of a similar age and diagnosis got a story of their progress? Obviously this is very new territory for my son and I; thanks in advance.

Hi Phil, I am very sorry for you and for your wife...my father has Spinal Cord Injury, from 3 months ago, actually about the same symptom. Someone with a spinal cord injury will have a long road of rehabilitation ahead of them, usually at a Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Unit and Rehabilitation Centre or Spinal Injury Unit, and it is important that they keep their sense of humor on their bad days to help them maintain a positive attitude.
Generally, Paraplegics will be in hospital for around 5 months, where as Quadriplegics can be in hospital for around 6 - 8 months, whilst they undergo rehabilitation. Both Paraplegics and Quadriplegics should have some kind of rehabilitation and physiotherapy before they are discharged from hospital, to help maximise their potential, or help them get used to life in a wheelchair, and to help teach techniques which make everyday life easier.
Disabled sports, and wheelchair based sports can be an excellent way to build stamina, and help in rehabilitation by giving confidence and better social skills. The ultimate reward for many disabled sportsmen and women, is to win at the Paralympic Games, which will be coming to London in 2012.
PS: An amazing invention I have seen is the so called berkelbike, a revolutionary, award winning tricycle which can be propelled by both your arms and legs. The BerkelBike makes cycling possible despite MS, Polio, Spinal Cord Injury or Stroke.


 

[tobphil]

Progress so far is very encouraging- there are visible improvements on a daily basis. Today, for the first time, she fed herself, and managed to sit up in bed without aid. She should be moved to the Spinal injuries rehab unit at Sheffield in the near future. She is very cheerful, positive and optomistic.
We told her we have made an early entry for her in next year's London Marathon. As the back end of a pantomime horse!

[Andy]

Progress so far is very encouraging- there are visible improvements on a daily basis. Today, for the first time, she fed herself, and managed to sit up in bed without aid. She should be moved to the Spinal injuries rehab unit at Sheffield in the near future. She is very cheerful, positive and optomistic.
We told her we have made an early entry for her in next year's London Marathon. As the back end of a pantomime horse!

that news sounds fantastic and very encouraging for further recovery down the line too thanks for keeping us posted

Andy

[green1706]

Progress so far is very encouraging- there are visible improvements on a daily basis. Today, for the first time, she fed herself, and managed to sit up in bed without aid. She should be moved to the Spinal injuries rehab unit at Sheffield in the near future. She is very cheerful, positive and optomistic.
We told her we have made an early entry for her in next year's London Marathon. As the back end of a pantomime horse!

Glad to hear that from you...good luck...


Everything will be OK....


 

[missy elliott]

Hi Phil,

I developed my spinal cord injury in 1993, when I was only 26.  I've undergone sevveral neurosurgeries and years of OT/PT.     I progressed to walking with a quad cane.  The tough part about SCI is that you can't predict the progress.  If someone can help the person move their arms and legs when they aren't working out, that's good for them.  The typing (pecking) I'm doing now, is good exercise for my hands and fingers.  It's tough , but someday there will be a cure!

                                                                                               Best of luck!


                                                                                                  Missy