Compressed Cord at C3/C4 Mid July - Everything Moves!

[Wise Young]

Originally Posted by DaleMinton

Hello all, I'm from London UK and came across this site whilst searching for all aspects of SCI. We're only about 10 miles from the Olympics and it's a great time to be in London - the Paralympics will have a new dimension this year. Like a lot a people on this site, we're looking for answers/experiences of others that have gone through such trauma. We also appreciate there are no definitives regarding recovery rates or ultimate outcomes. Our son of 29 suffered a sports injury whilst playing five-a-side soccer. He slipped badly onto his back/neck and suffered a slipped disc that went into and compressed his SC between C3 & C4. It was an incomplete injury and this happened on the 18th July. Thereafter, on the 20th July, he had anterior access surgery to remove the disc and a spinal fusion procedure, the surgeon said the cord re-inflated satisfactorily. After the op, he found it difficult to move anything and when he tried there was a lot of discomfort. What movment there was came from his feet and wrists. After a couple of days he could lift his forearms a little, flex his wrists and move his fingers. With regard to his legs, he could lift them a little against gravity and move his feet/toes. It is now only the 4th August and he has complete and co-ordinated muscle and limb movement/range throughout his body (except regaining all his bladder and bowel sensation/control) and he can lift himself up and take himself unaided from his bed into his wheelchair without the use of a bananaboard in two movements. He has only just started re-hab and can stand (albeit a little unsteady) lift dumbells plus, whilst siting, lift and flex his legs with weights attached to his ankles. What he's currently lacking is consistant levels of sensory feedback throughout his body, his lower limbs more than others (he say's that his legs feel somewhat disimbodied when he stands, hence the weakness). Aside from the lack of bowel and bladder sensation he say's the rest of his body feels pretty good. All the family have been praying for him and for the best, and appreciate that after all our research that things take time, however, bearing in mind the speed and my description of his recovery thus far, my question is a very typical one -- what are his chances of a full recovery ??

Thank you all so much ... Dale.

Dale,

Your son should continue to recover substantially over the coming year, including his bladder and bowel sensation. A year from now, although he may look completely recovered, he will probably tell you that he is not 100% and that his coordination, agility, and strength is not the same. But, he is a lucky man.

Wise.

[truly]

Your son seems to be making terrific progress and I hope he continues to do so. This type of injury is very scary and I completely understand the need to know what the future will bring. SCI recovery will take it's own time, though. In the meantime, your son is fortunate to be able to stand and take a few steps. I always think that if there's even a glimmer of motion, it's a starting point. He was probably an athletic person before his injury and that will help him, too.

Make the absolute most of everything the physios teach him. He should work as hard as he can...harder than he's ever worked at anything before.

Help him to set steady and small goals for improvement. Keep a log of his exercises and the changes that they bring. Even though time can crawl after such an injury, after awhile, you may be glad to have a diary of recovery to refer to...and remember the days when he wasn't able to do as much. Set small goals and celebrate when they are met.

I approached my recovery like a project manager, because that's what I do. It helped tremendously to be organized and systematic and to have records to refer to. It was a huge psychological boost ... and at the end of the day, the psychological aspect may be the hardest to handle.

From the heart, I wish a full recovery for your son. Please let us know how he does....better yet, have him tell us.

[DaleMinton]

Originally Posted by Wise Young

Dale,

Your son should continue to recover substantially over the coming year, including his bladder and bowel sensation. A year from now, although he may look completely recovered, he will probably tell you that he is not 100% and that his coordination, agility, and strength is not the same. But, he is a lucky man.

Wise.

Thank you Wise for taking interest and your time to contribute to this, your comments are very comforting and encouraging. Dale.

[Patton57]

Not to provide false hope here but my roommate in rehab was admitted within a week of injury as a C7 who could feel everything and only wiggle his big toe (I was a complete C7 a little over three months post SCI). He could move everything within a month and was using a walker at the two month point. He walked out of rehab barely using a cane at three months. I lost track of him after 9 months but he pretty much fully recovered.

[DaleMinton]

Originally Posted by truly

Your son seems to be making terrific progress and I hope he continues to do so. This type of injury is very scary and I completely understand the need to know what the future will bring. SCI recovery will take it's own time, though. In the meantime, your son is fortunate to be able to stand and take a few steps. I always think that if there's even a glimmer of motion, it's a starting point. He was probably an athletic person before his injury and that will help him, too.

Make the absolute most of everything the physios teach him. He should work as hard as he can...harder than he's ever worked at anything before.

Help him to set steady and small goals for improvement. Keep a log of his exercises and the changes that they bring. Even though time can crawl after such an injury, after awhile, you may be glad to have a diary of recovery to refer to...and remember the days when he wasn't able to do as much. Set small goals and celebrate when they are met.

I approached my recovery like a project manager, because that's what I do. It helped tremendously to be organized and systematic and to have records to refer to. It was a huge psychological boost ... and at the end of the day, the psychological aspect may be the hardest to handle.

From the heart, I wish a full recovery for your son. Please let us know how he does....better yet, have him tell us.

Hi Truly. He is indeed a fit guy of only 29, athletic and healthy.Your words are indeed inspirational and very helpful. I will be showing all these wonderful posts to Ian so he continues to be of a positive spirit and motivated. I of course wish you all the very best and love with regard to your own endeavours and wellbeing. We'll speak again and have a good weekend in the US of A.

[DaleMinton]

Originally Posted by Patton57

Not to provide false hope here but my roommate in rehab was admitted within a week of injury as a C7 who could feel everything and only wiggle his big toe (I was a complete C7 a little over three months post SCI). He could move everything within a month and was using a walker at the two month point. He walked out of rehab barely using a cane at three months. I lost track of him after 9 months but he pretty much fully recovered.

Hi Patton. He needs all the inspiration he can get, and your reply, along with others, will continue his belief that there is hope and he can beat this. My thoughts are with you and I pray for you all - don't loose faith.

Dale.