Question
I caught up with an old friend from some time back.  He told me about an injury he sustained a few years ago.  He hit a deer on his motorcycle and fractured his neck.  I'm not sure which vertebrae he fractured, just that they were in his neck. He is looking for a job and asked me to try and get him one.  My employer asked about the severity of the injury and whether they should hire him to his normal position (he is a heavy equipment Welder, quite a strenuous position with long hours) or one with lighter duties.  My friend says he is fine, but I think he is worried he won't get the job if he says anything otherwise. I don't want to see my friend aggravate the injury down the road.  From your point of view is he at risk of re injuring his neck or is it possible he is telling the truth and he is fine?
Thank you!

Answer
Dear Ben,

This is a very easy question to answer, although it might not be what you were expecting:  If he has been medically cleared from his treating physician, then he is fine to work!

Bottom line...if the fracture is healed and there is no residual tissue damage, then he should be able to return to full work duty, with the possible exception of contact sports...bones heal very well, and strong...often stronger than they were before.  Again though, he should have been cleared by his physician after the healing process was complete.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net