Question
Hi Leslie,

Last Sunday, while playing football with the neighborhood kids, my father (54 years old) fell and hit his head on the wall.  We have been told that he has fractured his c1 and c1 but that there is no brain damage and no injury to the spinal cord.  There is however swelling of the spinal cord.  He can move his right leg just fine, and can feel we think his left leg but limited movement (fingers only) in his arms. He is in a halo as we were told surgery wasn't necessary and is on a ventilator (they are putting a trach in tomorrow).  He does recognize us and we were told he is completely aware...We are desperate for a plan and what the recovery can look like...I was just wondering given the information above if you had any advice or thoughts on recovery.  

Answer
Hi Kristin
I'll give you my best answers based sort of on what usually happens- your dad could be different, but normally his chances are pretty good:

swelling of the spinal cord can be as bad as injury if not treated right away- i'm assuming they've got him on some heavy steroids (methylprednisolone maybe?) to decrease the swelling as soon as possible. it's also very important to not injure or move the area at all (hence the halo). the doctors are thinking given the stability of the halo that the swelling will go down, sensation and such will return

I don't know the odds on this- i have had many questions where someone fractured c1 and had no lasting damage. You can press the doctors on this- they seldom tell you the chances otherwise, and it might be too soon to tell. But you can ask (in other words, i'd ask them- and i'd make sure they listened carefully and answered everything i asked. i have no tolerance for doctors who don't take people seriously)

is he having trouble breathing on his own too, i take it?

my best advice at this early time is to be patient. i know that's a horrible thing to say to someone, but give the steroids a chance to work- sometimes swelling is slow to leave the spinal cord. the facts of his probable good health (playing with the kids) and not advanced age are positive, and the remaining movement and lack of surgery too.

i'm sorry i can't be more specific, but please do write in again if you have further questions
and good luck in the meantime
leslie