Question
Hi John,

My name is Tim and I am from Toronto. A freind of mine broke his C2 on the weekend during a rugby game. He couldn't move the left side of his body at all. I'm sure they secured his neck and body right away, but that only prevents any further damage. My question is: why the left side? and what will his recovery be? does one side of the body mean that it wasn't a bad break? The hospital has him in a Haelo right now. He seems to think he will be out of there in a couple of days. I think he is still in a state of shock.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my question. I know you must be very busy, and I appreciate any time you might spare for this situation.

All the best from Canada!

Tim

Answer
Hi Tim,
Thanks so much for your questions.

I've heard of people suffering a paralysis without losing sensation and others losing sensation without any paralysis due to a spinal cord injury. I have also heard of people suffering paralysis and/or the loss of sensation being greater on one side than the other but I have never heard of the paralysis and/or loss of sensation being limited just to one side.

I could be wrong but it sounds like he may have had a blood clot break off from the area of the trauma and traveling to the brain causing a stroke.

When someone has had some kind of trauma to their spinal cord, blood begins to pool at the level of the injury thus causing swelling to occur resulting in scarring and nerve damage. It will depend on the severity of the injury, amount of swelling and scarring to determine how much paralysis and loss of sensation there will be.

Either way, it's still too early to know how much sensation and motor skills he will regain. He will need physical therapy once he is stabilized.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me anytime.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie