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Hi Simon I found your site when browsing the web. I am impressed by what I have read so hope someone can help me.
On 10th September a friend of ours broke his neck playing rugby. They had just started the game and he went into the scrum, too high, and hit his head of someone's shoulder. All the lights went out and he ended up on the ground unable to move. Anyway, he has had his neck held together in a brace and after the operation was up in a wheelchair almost immediately. He has been having daily physio in the gym having his arms exercised in slings. He can move his shoulders and is improving slowly. He says he can see more movement in his arms than when he started. As yet he cannot do anytying with his hands and his wife has to scratch his noese, etc. My question is probably quite hard - will he ever be able to use his hands? Even if he can only move his shoulders will he ever be able to feed himself?
Any help you and your posters can give would be appreciated.
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#2 *A Guest*
Posted 28 October 2005 - 12:40 PM
34 views and no replies - well you cant be lucky all the time. Anyway, we have since discovered that our friend has for the past 4 weeks been having physio and electric impulse therapy and, as a result, has recovered movement in his right amd and limited movement down his left arm. So, although he will still be permanently paralysed, at least it is something. His courage and determination are helping him overcome horrific injuries. Although him, his wife and 2 daughters will need loads of help in the months/years to come.
#3
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Posted 28 October 2005 - 01:22 PM
Hi
Sorry to note reply sooner. I was injured playing rugby 22 years ago. Again in a scrum although your description implies to me it was a ruck but never mind. Firstly, was he in England when playing? If yes, he's covered under the RFU insurance scheme, so should get around £350,000 (I think it is now). They also have SPIRE a charity which your friwend can apply for mioney to at any time. His family should have been contacted by the RFU by now, let me know if they haven't been.
Anyway, onto your question.
All former players who were injured spinally playing rugby are cervical injuries (neck). All that I've met are pretty high too, so most don'pt have full finger movement. I, for example, am totally paralysed from neck down ie cannot move my hands or arms, I'm typing this using a mouthstick. As a general rule once you get 8 weeks post injury no more nerve sensation returns ie no more movement. Obviously, with physio etc it can be improved but if there's no nerve or interrupted nerve supply to the fingers then he will not regain full finger dexterity. Sorry.
You can mail me direct on simon@ouricodomar.com if you like I could go on for ages and there's loads of other things to mention
Simon
Sorry to note reply sooner. I was injured playing rugby 22 years ago. Again in a scrum although your description implies to me it was a ruck but never mind. Firstly, was he in England when playing? If yes, he's covered under the RFU insurance scheme, so should get around £350,000 (I think it is now). They also have SPIRE a charity which your friwend can apply for mioney to at any time. His family should have been contacted by the RFU by now, let me know if they haven't been.
Anyway, onto your question.
All former players who were injured spinally playing rugby are cervical injuries (neck). All that I've met are pretty high too, so most don'pt have full finger movement. I, for example, am totally paralysed from neck down ie cannot move my hands or arms, I'm typing this using a mouthstick. As a general rule once you get 8 weeks post injury no more nerve sensation returns ie no more movement. Obviously, with physio etc it can be improved but if there's no nerve or interrupted nerve supply to the fingers then he will not regain full finger dexterity. Sorry.
You can mail me direct on simon@ouricodomar.com if you like I could go on for ages and there's loads of other things to mention
Simon
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#4 *A Guest*
Posted 28 October 2005 - 01:39 PM
Simon
Thanks for the reply. It was Scotland he was playing in so I dont know what the rules are. I know there is a Union that deals with financial help. In addition they have set up a Trust Fund and an Appeal to raise money long term. Thanks for the info. His accident was 10th September so I presume that by now he will have made all the recovery he is going to make although I do know that some folk go on to recover even after the initial 8 week period - it depends on whether incomplete or complete. I dont know the ins/outs.
Thanks for the reply. It was Scotland he was playing in so I dont know what the rules are. I know there is a Union that deals with financial help. In addition they have set up a Trust Fund and an Appeal to raise money long term. Thanks for the info. His accident was 10th September so I presume that by now he will have made all the recovery he is going to make although I do know that some folk go on to recover even after the initial 8 week period - it depends on whether incomplete or complete. I dont know the ins/outs.
#5 *A Guest*
Posted 28 October 2005 - 03:34 PM
Simon
As an add on to my above message. What brilliant typing using a mouth stick. Better than mine and I have full use of my fingers. That must be extremely slow and difficult. Such determination makes me ashamed to complain about anything
As an add on to my above message. What brilliant typing using a mouth stick. Better than mine and I have full use of my fingers. That must be extremely slow and difficult. Such determination makes me ashamed to complain about anything
#6
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Posted 29 October 2005 - 09:40 AM
Hi A_Guest,
Sorry not to of replied sooner, my cable modem is down, and I've only just got my dial-up working, Nightmare!
Do you know what neurological level your friend is, he should know, if he doesn't, ask one of his doctors. This will help give an indication of what his future potental will be and how his independance will be affected.
Once you know, you can go to http://www.apparelyz.../paralysis.html to get a better idea of what functionality he will have.
Then come back here, let us know, and we'll add our own views
Regards
Simon
Admin
Sorry not to of replied sooner, my cable modem is down, and I've only just got my dial-up working, Nightmare!
Do you know what neurological level your friend is, he should know, if he doesn't, ask one of his doctors. This will help give an indication of what his future potental will be and how his independance will be affected.
Once you know, you can go to http://www.apparelyz.../paralysis.html to get a better idea of what functionality he will have.
Then come back here, let us know, and we'll add our own views
Regards
Simon
Admin
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#7
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Posted 29 October 2005 - 03:20 PM
Hi again
I don't know about Scotland but the Welsh RU have a scheme so I imagine Scotland does. Contact them direct
The Scottish Rugby Union plc
Murrayfield
Edinburgh EH12 5PJ
Scotland, UK
Tel: 0131 346 5000
Fax: 0131 346 5001
E-mail: feedback@sru.org.uk
Yes, I reckon he is getting to the time when all sensation would have returned. As the other Simon said ask the doctors for his neurological level. This can be seen in best in mri but xray can give a reasonable guide to a trained eye.
I don't know about Scotland but the Welsh RU have a scheme so I imagine Scotland does. Contact them direct
The Scottish Rugby Union plc
Murrayfield
Edinburgh EH12 5PJ
Scotland, UK
Tel: 0131 346 5000
Fax: 0131 346 5001
E-mail: feedback@sru.org.uk
Yes, I reckon he is getting to the time when all sensation would have returned. As the other Simon said ask the doctors for his neurological level. This can be seen in best in mri but xray can give a reasonable guide to a trained eye.
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#8
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Posted 29 October 2005 - 03:43 PM
A_Guest,
Is this an article about your friend?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/sport/t...-name_page.html
In the article it mentions the following:
Regards
Simon
Is this an article about your friend?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/sport/t...-name_page.html
In the article it mentions the following:
Quote
Scottish rugby has a trust for injured players called the Murrayfield Centenary Fund.
The people who run it do a great job in helping families such as the Mitchells and will meet very soon to see what they can do to assist.
The people who run it do a great job in helping families such as the Mitchells and will meet very soon to see what they can do to assist.
Regards
Simon
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#9 *Guest*
Posted 31 October 2005 - 08:12 AM
Dont know what level he is. All we know is that he had an operation to stabilise his neck which left him with no feeling from shoulders down. However, electric stimulation has given him recovery of movement in right arm and limited movement in left. Have no information on hand function or whatever.
As regards other comments. I believe the SRU do have a system whereby they make payments to injured rugbybplayers. He worked full time and played rugby part time.
They are setting up a trust fund for him along with an appeal which will raise funds to help him and his wife as they need to move from their present flat to an adapted house.
Thanks for your guidance.
As regards other comments. I believe the SRU do have a system whereby they make payments to injured rugbybplayers. He worked full time and played rugby part time.
They are setting up a trust fund for him along with an appeal which will raise funds to help him and his wife as they need to move from their present flat to an adapted house.
Thanks for your guidance.
#10 *A Guest*
Posted 31 October 2005 - 09:34 AM
Simon at Admin
Saw that article in the paper but dont think it is the same guy. My attention was drawn to it by someone else who saw it and at first we thought it was but alas no.
The posters on these boards are ace. Their advice is better than any you could get at a hospital. We have had a look at the site you directed us to, however, unfortunately, as we dont know the level we are a but stuck. All we know is he has arm movement dont know about the hands. However, we can "read between the lines" and hope for the best.
I find life bad enough as a para but to be quad must be terrible.
Thanks
Saw that article in the paper but dont think it is the same guy. My attention was drawn to it by someone else who saw it and at first we thought it was but alas no.
The posters on these boards are ace. Their advice is better than any you could get at a hospital. We have had a look at the site you directed us to, however, unfortunately, as we dont know the level we are a but stuck. All we know is he has arm movement dont know about the hands. However, we can "read between the lines" and hope for the best.
I find life bad enough as a para but to be quad must be terrible.
Thanks
#11
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Posted 31 October 2005 - 02:44 PM
Guest, on Oct 31 2005, 09:12 AM, said:
Dont know what level he is. All we know is that he had an operation to stabilise his neck which left him with no feeling from shoulders down.
So he lost feeling POST surgery?
If so you have medical negligence claim.......
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