Question
My friend had a dirt bike accident yesterday, and they said she severed her spinal cord between T4 and T5. She will be paralyzed from the breast bone done. She had two surgeries last night, and now is in surgery again to remove blood and repair damaged lungs. Have you ever heard of this injury, and what do you think her chances are.  She is a single Mom, with a 10 year old boy.

Answer
Hi vicki-
I have heard of this injury- have one similar to it, in fact. Her survival right now likely depends on the other injuries she sustained in the wreck (lungs, etc). The cord injury may need to be fused for stability (depending on how the bones are around the area) but for the most part, this damage is done. If they can stabilize the other problems fairly quickly she should live though.

Please note there can always be complications- I can only tell you what is usually the case

It is going to be difficult, I am sorry to say- rehab is hard and can be very depressing, even if there are no other injuries to recover from. Hopefully her son will prove to be additional motivation (it just doesn't hurt to have as much as you can get..)

I'm sorry I don't have better news for you- but I wish her the best of luck, and I'm out here if there's anything i can do

thanks
leslie