Can you recover from C3 C4 spinal injury?

A C3 spinal cord injury (SCI) can affect movement and sensation from the neck down. Fortunately, by participating in rehabilitative therapies and effectively managing secondary complications, individuals can learn to become as functional as possible and maybe even recover movement.

What happens if you fracture your C3 and C4 vertebrae?

Paralysis in the torso, legs, wrists, and hands. Paralysis may be experienced on one or both sides of the body. Patients may be able to raise their arms and/or bend their elbows. Patients will need assistance with daily living, but may have some independent function.

What nerves are affected by C3 and C4?

Branches of the C3, C4, and C5 spinal nerves form the phrenic nerve that innervates the diaphragm, enabling breathing. Within the spinal canal of each of these motion segments, the spinal cord is protected by the vertebral bodies in front and vertebral arches at the back.

Can you walk after a C4 spinal cord injury?

While some sufferers of spinal cord injuries are eventually able to walk again after their injuries, others are not able to do so. The spinal cord is a complex nerve network responsible for communicating messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

Can you walk after a C4 injury?

There is potential to walk again after SCI because the spinal cord has the ability to reorganize itself and make adaptive changes called neuroplasticity. With an effective rehabilitation plan and consistency, individuals may be able to promote neuroplasticity to optimize their mobility.

What happens when you break C4?

After a C4 spinal cord injury, individuals may lose sensation and control over the bowel and bladder muscles. Because the bowel and bladder muscles are innervated by some of the bottommost segments of the spinal cord, bladder and bowel dysfunction is extremely common amongst SCI patients.

What nerves are affected by C4?

The C4 dermatome covers parts of the neck, shoulders, and upper part of arms. C5 helps control the deltoids (which form the rounded contours of the shoulders) and the biceps (which allow bending of the elbow and rotation of the forearm).

Can someone recover from a spinal cord injury?

Your doctor might not be able to give you a prognosis right away. Recovery, if it occurs, usually relates to the severity and level of the injury. The fastest rate of recovery is often seen in the first six months, but some people make small improvements for up to 1 to 2 years.