Question
Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this and i'm sorry if I have not sent my question the appropriate person. I am looking for any and all information, as I am in a different country to the person concerned, and am having to rely on texts and phone calls to get the facts...I cant speak to the doctors myself.

On Sunday, my friend had an accident and fell down a steep incline. He was consious after and able to move around but wisely kept still because his neck hurt him. He has a fracture on c2 and c7 and a clear/full break on c4 as well as a dislocation. Apparently, there has not been damage to the spinal cord but there is swelling which causes concern, and the fractures have 'fragmented' which is also causing concern.

Doctor's were reluctant to do surgery (it has come out he may have a minor heart condition which is unrelated) but it's been decided it needs to go ahead. I believe they are looking at some type of repair and/or hip graft on c4 and also to remove fragmented bone from around the spinal cord.

He has had a halo brace fitted to try and 'relocate' the neck back into place and we don't know whether this will remain on after the surgery.  

I know it is probably not possible to give any sort of clear answer before we know the outcome of the surgery but I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is likely to be life threatening, or cause paralysis or long term damage. At the moment he is able to use his hands and has feeling in his feet. I guess I want to know if, in anyone's experience, they would be able to tell me the possible outcomes of an injury/surgery like this.  

Answer
Dear Laura,  I'm not a doctor, but I have been a quadriplegic for 37+ years. I see a neurologist at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin located at 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53226. His name is: Dr. William P. Waring. 1-414-805-3000. He is one of the more knowledgeable neurologists in the entire Midwest. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Ken