Question
My son had a spinal cord and #1 vertebrae injury from diving in a pool when he was 9 years old.  He had bone removed from his pelvic and fused into his neck.  He wore a halo for about 8 months.  He is fully recovered now and the worst of it seem to be sporadic severe headaches.  His doctor had instructed me to never let him participate in contact sports and not to lift items weighing more than 25 pounds.  That was March 2003.
He started high school a week ago, August 2007, and I am worried about the activities he should be doing.  I called the doctors office where he was treated for a note stating what I was told about the contact sports and lifting heavy weight.  I spoke with a physician抯 assistant who instructed me that it was fine for my son to lift any amount of weight, that there are no restrictions.  He also told me that he should not participate in competitive contact sports, but things like touch football and dodge ball are ok.
I am reluctant to go along with his advice.  He sent me a fax only to excuse my son from tackle football, wrestling, and kickboxing.
Do you agree with what I抳e been told by the physician抯 assistant?  Do you feel these activities are safe four years after a neck injury?  Is my son at a higher risk of injury than someone who has not had an injury like the one he had?  

Answer
Hi Bonnie, My fridge went out and I am in the process of juggling food in coolers. I need time to consider a response without hurry, I will get back to you tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience!

Dr. Tim

Hi Bonnie,
I agree with the PA not the doctor. He can lift weights but no activities that may include injury to the neck. One thing you may not know, it is most likely that the fracture site is the strongest part of the neck due to the extra bone laid down. Without looking at post op x-rays I can't be sure if this is sound advise, I suggest you see a DC and have it x-rayed and see if he is a candidate for manipulation. Chances are he is, I treat dozens of broken necks and manipulate them after they heal.
This has many advantages, one being reduced risk of developing the inevitable osteoarthritis and restricted range of motion. I also strongly recommend he undergoes therapeutic ultrasound treatments to reduce and eliminate scar tissue proliferation. Augment this with glucosamine sulfate with MSM, a OTC supplement proven to stop and reverse OA in 70% of people, and he should be way ahead of any physicians expectations.

Massage won't hurt but it won't solve the problem either.


I ask only that you take a few seconds to rate my response. Your feedback helps me refine my expertise and helps to guide future questioners.


Thank you for your question Bonnie and good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com