Question
A very dear friend just had an atv accident.  He was thrown from the atv, and landed on his right shoulder/head.  He was immediately unable to move, but after about an hour felt great pain.  We are told he has a swollen C5, but no broken bones or spinal damage, just alot of swelling.  It has now been a week, and he is regaining some movement and sensation on his left side, but not much change on his right.  His Physical Therapists told him he has an imcomplete injury.  He is 24 years old and in fairly good condition.  Do you think he can make a fairly good recovery?

Answer
Hi Laurie,

I am not a doctor and do not have access to his records. But based on my knowledge of other injuries I would say he has a chance at making a fairly good recover. Depending on the damage done to his spinal cord he should continue to see improvement. I wish I could give you a more definitive answer, but spinal cord injuries are so unique to each injury. The fact that your friend's injury is considered incomplete is a good thing, an injury considered complete means the connections have been severed or crushed beyond repair. At least with incomplete injuries there can be connections, and with a good physical therapy program your friend enhances the likelihood of regaining much of what he has lost. I hope he has a good medical team working with him, and if he is at a physical rehabilitation hospital maybe you could talk with some of the doctors to get their opinions. One last thought, I am a C4-C5 quadriplegic and when I was injured I could not move any of my extremities, it took me almost five years to regain the partial use of my arms. So just understand it may be a long road. I will keep good thoughts for your friends recovery.