[ginadacq]

HI - I am just beginning to find out about spine injury. My father fell on his porch and broke his neck three weeks ago. He fractured C1 and C2, and has been in a cervical collar since then. First, the n.surgeon on call that night told him that one bone would heal just fine on it's own, the other (C2) has a 50/50 chance and we can check in on it in 4 wks. He had a rough time of it in the hospital, losing consciousness and having a seizure, coming back out of it after balancing his sodium levels, now is having a hard time sleeping, and eating , as he is in rehab now for 30days. He is 76 and lives alone. My sister and I visit every day and are working toward getting him a consultation for surgery, but we have young children and live 25 min. away.
Does anyone have tips on living with the cervical collar, suggestions about neuro deficits after this type of fracture - even if the CT scan shows no brain damage, or any groundbreaking techniques regarding surgical fusion when the dens is misaligned after a break? Thanks for listening!

[Leesa]

First off, unless he had a skull fracture or a very bad concussion, is there reason to think he'll have brain damage? Did the doctor suggest he might?

Are they making him wear a HARD cervical collar? Can't he switch to a soft one at night for sleeping? Or is this screwed to his head? Does he have neuro deficits? If so, what are they? If they do a fusion, MAKE THEM use cadaver bone, and NOT his own bone from his hip!!! If they use his own bone, he'll be in TERRIBLE PAIN for a very long time!!! It won't make any difference in healing.

Your Dad should be able to feel both arms/hands/all fingers without paiin or numbness or tingling. He should NOT have any pain in his legs/feet. Believe it or not, the neck can cause pain in the lower limbs. He also shouldn't have any tingling/numbness in the legs/feet. All of these neuro "symptoms" are for the NORMAL person ~ if your Dad has some of these things, obviously it's caused by the injury, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he'll need surgery. There's going to be swelling in the cervical area for some time ~ and that needs to reduce before the doc will know if surgery is warranted.

Hopefully others will chime in with more info. Best of luck with your Dad and PLEASE keep us posted on his progress! God bless. Hugs, Lee

[ginadacq]

Hi Leesa, to read your bio - you have been through a variety of health care situations!!! congratulations on being a survivor.
None of the "professionals" read anything into his reactions to his situation. By that, I mean, that he wakes up not knowing where he is several times a night. Has a terrible night's sleep, in fact, sleeps better in the day, but who has time with all the PT, OT, ST, etc! He tells the night staff the craziest stuff, related to me the next day, believes that he has gone home, to the office, to a different room, different rehab, it's like a list of abductions! To know my dad, before this he has been a full time analyst in an insurance company, very independent, loving and spoiling grandpa, survived his wife's death three years earlier, so is living alone... You can guess how his world is just rocked by this.

Well, thanks for listening...his surgery is probably next week, we have stumbled upon an awesome surgeon who seems just absolutely inspired compared to the last team we endured. He has a three point plan that made my dad really happy to know about - so fingers crossed!

[Leesa]

So you mean that these 'doctors' don't think his reactions are any big deal??? Holy Toledo!!!! What about this latest team? I hope THEY are a bit alarmed!!! This isn't just your normal "bad dream" situation!

Why are they waiting so long to do surgery? Is it due to the swelliing? Your poor Dad ~ he must be so upset with this whole ordeal.

I'll keep watching for updates ~ please DO update us, okay? God bless, and prayers for ALL of you. Hugs, Lee

[ginadacq]

Well, we found a great surgeon, and the surgery turned out positively. At least for now. He had to have C1, C2, C3, C4 all fit with screws, and the C1 to the skull. The surgeon found (when he was on the table), the bones were not strong enough to support the head without the extra support from the other cervical bones. My dad is doing good, and feeling positive, but in alot of pain. He had some bad dreams the first two nights after surgery, but is good during the day. Any thing "odd" we notice is dealt with, which is confidence building, but again we are noticing things happening with communication breakdown between ICU and regular spine trauma ward.Didn't see the doctor at all today...this happened before...

[Leesa]

Hi Gina ~ I'm glad your Dad is doing well ~ but I'm a little worried. This communication breakdown isn't good. And the fact that you didn't see the doc at ALL??? This is ridiculous!!! Where the heck is he? He should be there EVERY DAY - at the very LEAST once a day and ideally twice a day!! I don't get it. Did he have a golf game or something?? Sheesh
This is all you need - an absentee doctor.

Just know that you and your Dad are in my prayers. I've been waiting to hear how things went ~ I missed it yesterday, and I''ve just now gotten online today.

Please keep updating if you can. I know you're busy, but if you have time just drop a quick note if you could. God bless and prayers are coming. Hugs, Lee