[ccam222]

My 17 year old neice was in an accident in feb . her back was broken and she was told she was paralized from her belly button down and that she would never walk again. Since this accident happened she has been having alot of pain in her legs and she can more her feet up and down about 1/2 of an inch if she really concentrates she also can feel hot and cold on her legs. I dont understand if she is paralized how can she feel this and how she can move her feet slightly. Is this normal? Also she started to be able to squeeze her butt cheeks. She even once felt a fly land on her leg. Any insight on this would be appreciated.

[Hapahowlee]

What is your niece's level of injury? Also is she complete or incomplete?

[ccam222]

Hapahowlee, on Aug 10 2008, 04:35 PM, said:

What is your niece's level of injury? Also is she complete or incomplete?

She is a T12 incomplete

[E-DOG]

ccam222, on Aug 10 2008, 04:53 PM, said:

My 17 year old neice was in an accident in feb . her back was broken and she was told she was paralized from her belly button down and that she would never walk again. Since this accident happened she has been having alot of pain in her legs and she can more her feet up and down about 1/2 of an inch if she really concentrates she also can feel hot and cold on her legs. I dont understand if she is paralized how can she feel this and how she can move her feet slightly. Is this normal? Also she started to be able to squeeze her butt cheeks. She even once felt a fly land on her leg. Any insight on this would be appreciated.

Ccam
Your niece can move her legs a bit and has some sensation because her spinal cord is not completely severed.These are good signs.
The injury is still new so how much motor function (movement) and sensation return is still unknown. ALL SCI's are different sometimes it can take years before one knows just how much damage was done.
The pain is probably nerve pain and there are many medications to ease that. Many folks on this site will be able to answer these questions and any others you may have. It's been 6 months since the injury, get yourself better informed if you have an interest in your nieces injury.

[ccam222]

E-DOG, on Aug 10 2008, 05:43 PM, said:

ccam222, on Aug 10 2008, 04:53 PM, said:

My 17 year old neice was in an accident in feb . her back was broken and she was told she was paralized from her belly button down and that she would never walk again. Since this accident happened she has been having alot of pain in her legs and she can more her feet up and down about 1/2 of an inch if she really concentrates she also can feel hot and cold on her legs. I dont understand if she is paralized how can she feel this and how she can move her feet slightly. Is this normal? Also she started to be able to squeeze her butt cheeks. She even once felt a fly land on her leg. Any insight on this would be appreciated.

Ccam
Your niece can move her legs a bit and has some sensation because her spinal cord is not completely severed.These are good signs.
The injury is still new so how much motor function (movement) and sensation return is still unknown. ALL SCI's are different sometimes it can take years before one knows just how much damage was done.
The pain is probably nerve pain and there are many medications to ease that. Many folks on this site will be able to answer these questions and any others you may have. It's been 6 months since the injury, get yourself better informed if you have an interest in your nieces injury.

Right now she is at home .She lives in Laughlin Nevada and the only therapy near them only offers upper body therapy. They have a swimming pool and she does exercise in it. They are trying to get her into the Shriners hospital in California. My sister and her family moved out there almost 3 years ago so they have no family support there to help them. They are trying to move back home which is in Pa. if they could only sell there house. Its been very hard for them and for us wth them being out there.

[RacingAxe]

It is a good sign that she can move her feet. Some people continue to get improvements over long time periods but everyone is different. Encourage her to keep trying and share with her what you learn!

[Kwag_Myers]

I'm a T12 incomplete - one year post. However, my sensory and motor function is more like a L5. I'm guessing my ASIA rating is a C. I know City Girl's a T12 D - 11 months post and she's doing a little better than me. No two injuries are the same and no two recoveries are the same.

The best you can do is what E-DOG says, educate yourself. I use to use a dermatome chart to understand my progress. Simon has one posted here.