Question
Hi, My friend had a diving accident and broke his c5, c6 vertebrae, his spinal cord was not severed but was damaged. As soon as we got him out of the water he could not feel a thing. He had surgery within 24 hrs,where the dr's told him the most he would ever be able to do was move his eyes. He has proven the dr's wrong so far. It has been 4 months since his injury and he can move his neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. He has weak triceps, can bend his wrists downwards, not upwards. He has some feeling in his hands but cannot use them yet. He cannot feel below his nipples. He does feel hot and cold on his legs after a while, he mentioned if he is sitting for a while a certain way he can feel his leg or butt getting soar. He also has a burning sensation in his testicles from time to time. And recently below his nipples to his waste if someone touches his stomach, he said it feels like someone is tickling him. He has also mentioned his big toe under his nail feels itching. The doctor who preformed his surgery told him he had an incomplete injury, but his therapist said it looks more like a complete. I am just wondering if the symptoms he has been experiencing are "normal"? could it means that his nerves are not damaged in those areas? He has been positive through out this whole process, he does have his off days. I was also wondering what the spams mean when we move him, it appears that his legs have a reflex and will postion themselves, or move. Does that mean anything? He has a lot of love and support around him we are hoping and praying for the very best. Any info is greatly appericated. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Maria,  I am sorry you and your friend have to experience what has happened, it is never an easy thing to deal with.

I must admit I am perplexed at what his Doctor's said about his injury. A normal C5-C6 injury does not result in what his Doctor's said. That description (the most he would ever be able to do was move his eyes.) is more common among a C1 through C3 level injury. As the following web address explains:   
http://www.apparelyzed.com/support/functionality/c1-c3.html

I know every injury can be different from the next, even at the same level. But that is because it is the injury to the spinal cord which determines the extent of a persons functionality.

Muscle spasms are common among the spinal cord injured population, I wouldn't read to much into them. As for his symptoms, I'd say he has some potential to regain some function he was told he wouldn't have.

I would encourage your friend to work his tail off because exercise is thought to help with the return of some level of function. But I doubt if anyone can say what he'll get back at this time.

Having love and support is definitely a plus. I will keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers for his recovery. Technology/Science is coming up with new things all the time, so he has reason to be optimistic.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
       Ken