How strong is the neck after a fracture and subsequent  fusion?
351549
I would be really careful about this. A naturally healed bone is stronger than before it was broken, but you had a fusion. The fusion changes the natural mechanics of the neck. I would seriously consult with the MD who performed the procedure. The fused levels might be OK but the level above and below tends to become more mobile, so these levels with the increased load of Jui-Jutsu may not handle the increased strain well. You sustained a very serious injury, I again would highly, highly recommend speaking with the MD, before returning to competition level Juio-Jitsu. \n\nNot to be nit-picky either but if you damaged the spinal cord in the cervical region you would become a full or incomplete Quadriplegic- meaning - no arm, trunk or leg function.
766763
You should see your doctor right away and have your neck xrayed.  I hope he refers you to a spinal specialist.  Could be a pinched nerve, and that's not fun.  It will run down your across your back, shoulders and arms if let go too long.  Sometimes the damage doesn't show up right away.  \n\nIf not, maybe a vertabra is damaged.  Either way, please have it checked.
1182159
Fast enough to break important parts of your anatomy if you were to fall off.
264091
I have had Cervical Fusion for C5-6 and C6-7 in September 2004.  I have 6 Titanium screws and a small metal plate in my neck.  With my surgery they went in through the front of my neck which left a pretty noticeable scar.  When they cut the front of your neck as opposed to the back, the procedure is called "Anterior Cervical Fusion".  I was in such a tremendous amount of pain I really had no other option but to have the surgery.  \n\nI was so scared I can't even put it into words.  When I woke up from the surgery the pain was horrendous, I will never forget that moment.  I was scared to move my head.    The first thing I did was wiggle my toes to make sure I wasn't paralyzed.  (the chances of that happening are very slim and I knew this but still had to check) :) \n\nBelieve it or not, I went home the next day.  I was very careful about everything I did (which was not much for a long while)  It took me alot longer to recover than most people because I am a smoker.  When you are a smoker they have to take bone from the hip to do the bone graft.  I had to have lots of Physical Therapy and walking was difficult to say the least.  \n\nI recovered in about 1 year but again that is not the "normal" recovery time.  Now my neck does not hurt and the procedure was a great success.  I have a great Orthopedic Surgeon!\n\nMake sure to do your homework...\n\nHere are some good links:\n\nhttp://www.spine-health.com/topics/surg/overview/cervical/cerv03.html\n\nhttp://www.espine.com/diagnosis_acf.html\n\n\n\nFeel free to message me through Yahoo if you need more information.  Good luck and God Bless!
293113
Bone fractures can affect muscles in two ways. First, during fracture (or spasm after fracture) the sharp ends of a fractured bone may pierce surrounding muscles and damage them directly (they heal though). Second, when the fracture is healing and the bone is immobilized, surrounding muscles atrophy and need to be exercised to gain their previous strength and volume after the bone heals.
653516
Ouch - that hurts!  I broke my clavicle when I was 15 too (now 36).  I only broke it in one place and that was painful enough.  Although it healed and is stable, I can still feel where the bones overlap and fused in that position.\n\nI have heard of surgery being performed but it is very unusual.  Sometimes it is pinned.  The splint should allow things to heal properly but it will take around 6-8 weeks.  Need to make sure that the middle section doesn't displace and cause complications, i.e. brachial plexus injury, lung problems.
1079447
My mother went through that surgery 35 years ago, she was 14, and had a 69º curve in her spine that was shaped like an S. It's a lot different now than it was then. She recently corresponded with a 13 year old that had it done and encouraged her and sent photos of what she looked like and such explaining that she was glad that they did the surgery. The girl that had the surgery done was up and walking in 3 weeks and back to normal in 6 weeks, of course there's things you can't do for  a certian period of time, but the proceedure now is 100% better than what my mom went through. \n I have scoliosis, it's not nearly as bad as my mothers but it does hurt as you get older. \nGood Luck and we'll be praying for you and you daughter especially.
567595
you possibly have a "pinched nerve" or small disc protrusion in your neck. mine healed with rest, heat and ibuprofen.\n\nif it does not get better in the next few days or gets worse, see a doctor asap. imho, do not go to a chiropractor or let someone "crack" your neck.\nI am not a dr. or nurse: but have had this same thing happen to me.
1132269
It is very bad for you, especially for your neck and back.  It wouldn't take much for you to "crack" your spine the wrong way and end up paralyzed.  That's why professionals go to school for that.  go to a Chiropractor and have it done professionally.
960020
Everyone heals differently, so there is not a firm answer to this.  Also, what is your definition of "recover"?  You'll be out of the recovery room in a matter of minutes to hours.  There will be swelling and soreness for a week or so.  Full tissue strength after any surgery takes 12 weeks.\n\nCosts vary widely based on location, and by practitioner.  Call some plastic surgeons in your area and ask them.
878095
Honey I've been through 5 lumbar fusions. It's good that he's going to remove the hardware while he's in there. You feel much better without it. However, if the original fusion isn't solid, he'll have to replace the hardware when he does the revision. It is also very common for the disc spaces above & below the site to also have problems because they are under more stress than before. When you end up with a fusion at multiple levels believe it or not they become stronger. Although the pain squarely in the middle of my lower back is still present, the pain that I had that radiated down my leg is gone. I say go for it honey, you really have nothing to lose & quite a bit to gain. Especially if pain control is your objective.
226238
If you mean spinal cord ( Backbone ) yes
359962
Well I had rehab after my injury, I was much stronger after the rehab just due to the weight training trying to get back you being 14 will make a difference you are still growing and that makes it easier for you body to heal its self. It isn't easy so you've got to be patient.
421928
fell off my horse when i was 15, broke my collar bone, my coxcyx, my wrist and my jaw, took 4 months to recover from that and still get pain in mmy back and wrist 7 years later
796394
Actually- vetebrae is the plural, not "vertebras".\n\nYou asked if the person got shot... well, the person would likely die from a gunshot wound to the thoracic column.  Not from paralysis or anything like that, but the shrapnel and bone splintering that a gunshot would cause.  The thoracic vertebrae hold the ribs which hold the heart and lungs... if they get pierced it's a bad story after that.\n\nMaybe the better question is "if someone broke their x numbered thoracic vertebrae, what would happen, and does the same hold true for the rest?"\n\nNeglecting the first two cervical vertebrae ( C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) which would cause pretty much instant death if either broke), there is a generalized result.\n\nAt any point the vertebrae break enough to sever or pinch the spinal column, the person would be paralyzed from that point down.  For example- if someone were to sever their spinal cord (break their vertebrae) at C7 (the final cervical vertebral bone), they would be paralyzed from the collarbone (clavical bone) down.  This would include the arms.\n\nIf the person broke a lumbar vertebrae and severed the spinal cord there, they would be paralyzed from the waist down.\n\nWherever the break is, it is always that point down for paralysis (if the spinal cord itself is broken or pinched).\n\nHope this answers your question.
671541
its better you rule out any spinal injury, ideally you may need either a CAT scan of the chest/thorax and spine, probably the thoraric vertebrae..never ruling out further requirement of a MRI scan as well, get in touch with a traumatologist/spinal surgeon asap. good luck and wishes for a speedy recovery!
1019434
enough to crush a human