Question
Hi Ken,

My friend had an accident at the beach on Saturday. He dove underwater & hit a sandbank & dislocated his neck at C3 4 & 5. He did not loose consciousness and could speak after the accident.

He is heavily sedated at the moment but can understand us and nods or shakes his head softly to respond to questions. He can't speak to us now as he needs help to breath and has tubes down his throat. He cannot feel anything below his shoulders yet and the doctors said they currently consider his injury to be complete but are checking for any response twice daily.

I know it does not look good for him. But I am desperate to know if there is any chance that he might still recover some feeling lower below his shoulders? He is young (28) and extremely healthy and strong. Its only been a few days and we are all at the hospital every day waiting for something to improve or change.

Can you tell me anything about other people with a similar injury? How long might it take to know what his outlook is?

Thank you.  

Answer
Dear GC,
  I am so sorry to hear of your friends injury. It is never easy to see a loved one/friend deal with such a life altering injury.
  I am a C4-C5 quadriplegic since 1973 and can tell you from my own experience that it took me a little over a month to begin to show signs of return. And with therapy I was able to regain more function.
  So can he regain something below his shoulders, possibly. But a lot depends on how much damage his spinal cord suffered and at what level. I know you were told he dislocated his neck at the 3rd, 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae.
  But say his spinal cord has most of the damage at the 5th cervical vertebrae, then it could be possible for him to move his arms. On the other hand if his spinal cord is injured more at the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae he'll be lucky to use his shoulder muscles.
  When I was injured technology was far from where it is now, which is good for your friend. And there are many companies investing in developing cures for spinal cord injuries.
  I know I didn't totally answer your question, but allot is going to depend on where his spinal cord was injured and it may take months to know for sure what return he will have.
  One thing you can do for your friend is to support him, encourage him if needed. And if your religious; prayer can't hurt. I will keep good thoughts for your friend. The fact that he is younger, and healthy and strong can only help.
  Sincerely,  Ken