How long does it take to recover from a neck fracture?

How long does it take to recover? A simple break that doesn’t affect your spinal cord can be treated with a neck brace worn for six to eight weeks until the bone heals. More complicated breaks can require surgery and other treatments such as a stiff neck brace for up to three months.

Can you fully recover from a broken neck?

A broken neck with no damage to the spinal cord may heal completely, but it’s possible to suffer continued neck pain and frequent headaches as the result of this injury.

How serious is a neck fracture?

However it happens, this kind of trauma is serious and scary. A neck fracture can paralyze you or even lead to death. If you fracture your neck, you’ll feel extreme pain, swelling, and a loss of feeling in your arms and legs. You shouldn’t be moved, and you should go to the hospital right away.

Can you live after breaking neck?

But can you survive a broken neck? Despite what movies would have you believe, a broken neck is hardly a death sentence. Absolutely—not only can you survive, but with the right treatment you can thrive afterward with few ill effects.

How long does neck surgery take?

The operation generally takes 1 to 3 hours. You will lie on your back on the operative table and be given anesthesia. Once asleep, your neck area is cleansed and prepped. If a fusion is planned and your own bone will be used, the hip area is also prepped to obtain a bone graft.

Can a broken neck cause brain damage?

Brain damage was more frequently associated with upper cervical injury. Those patients with upper cervical injury are at greater risk of suffering from skull base fractures and severe intracranial hematomas than those with mid to lower cervical injury.

What happens when you break C5 and C6?

An injury to the spinal cord at the C5-C6 level may cause pain, weakness, or paralysis in the arms and/or legs. There may be loss of bowel and bladder control or breathing problems in some cases. Nonsurgical treatments are often tried first for pain that stems from C5-C6.

How do you sleep with a broken neck?

If you’re dealing with neck discomfort, the best positions for sleep are on your back or side. These are both less stressful on your spine than sleeping on your stomach. It may be difficult to change your sleeping position, since your preferred position is often determined early in life.

What are symptoms of a broken neck?

Common symptoms include:

• Pain (may be severe) and tenderness at the fracture site.
• Decreased range of motion of the head or neck.
• Reduced muscle control of neck muscles.
• Trouble swallowing or breathing.
• Swelling over the affected area.
• Decreased mobility.
• Radiating pain down head, neck, arms, or legs.

Can you walk after a C6 spinal cord 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 is the difference between a fractured neck and a broken neck?

There are seven bones that make up the cervical vertebrae (neck). They support the head and connect it to the shoulders and body. A fracture, or break, in one of the cervical vertebrae is commonly called a broken neck. Cervical fractures usually result from high-energy trauma, such as automobile crashes or falls.

How is a fractured neck treated?

A minor (compression) fracture is often treated with a cervical collar or brace worn for six to eight weeks until the bone heals on its own. A more severe or complex fracture may require traction, or surgical repair or a spinal fusion.