Question
My husband passed out and fell while in the hospital in March 2007. They placed him in a hard collar and on a back board. After having a CT Scan, they determined that no injury occurred. He spent 6 additional days in the hospital and no one could figure out why he could not get his chin off of his shoulder or why he was in great pain. Was sent home, told to see his family doctor. This doctor sent him to another doctor who then sent him to a chiropractor, a message therapist and a physical therapist. After 7 months of chronic pain another doctor got looking at all of the CAT Scans, X-RAYS, Bone Scans and so forth that had been taken since the incident and found out he had a C-2 neck fracture. It showed up on the film that they hospital originally took but nothing was written in the report that the doctor read.
They then put him in a hard collar but by then the neck had already healed but not the way it would have if it had been treated right away. The muscles in that area are inflamed,tight, swollen and tense. The also have spasms. He is still in lots of pain and has tremendous headaches. He has not been able to work and it has now been 2 years +.
We are not able to get help from any doctors as no one really knows what to do. He needs help!
Anything you can suggest for us to try or where to turn for help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, K

Answer
Dear Karen.

WOW...So sorry to hear of this mess-up.  I cannot believe that so many doctors missed the fracture...I can't believe that another CT or SPECT scan wasn't ordered the first week after the injury to look for a hidden fracture.  

Unfortunately, I think that the best thing for may be for him to have a surgeon go in and either re-break or cut the C2 so that he can put it back together correctly.  I understand that this is not a great option, but after two years it may be your best option.  If the underlying structure is abnormal, then the musculature will have a more difficult time working correctly.  Now, as I write this there may be some other options such as axial traction of the spine (pulling up on the head and neck (against gravity) or utilizing non surgical intervertebral decompression techniques...no guarantee in this case though.  I wish I could offer you better advice on this...I would suggest that you send this question to a few other chiropractors here and a few orthopedic surgeons (with spine fellowship) and neurosurgeons to get multiple opinions on this.

Lastly, I do not encourage litigation against anyone, but in this case, you should get a personal injury attorney...this was a BIG MISS by the hospital staff radiologist.  It may not be a malpractice issue but there was definitely fault, and I believe it should have been handled differently while he was in the hospital.  The fact that he couldn't get his head of his chest is a huge red flag and should have been thoroughly investigated.  And if your husband is in chronic pain and cannot work because of negligence, then you are both entitled to some compensation.

Hope this helps.

Respectfully,
Dr. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net