What is the prognosis for a C5 fracture?
Patient: What is the prognosis of someone with a C5 fracture? The fracture was bad, C5 was in pieces and later C4-C7 were fused. I understand that SCI s are all very different, but I am wondering if this person could ever walk again? What about vent-dependency? Doctor: Hello,  Please correct me if i am wrong in understanding your situation.It looks that affected person is on supported ventilation and was operated for comminnuted  fracture C5 vertebrae.  It also looks that he had severe injury and compression or disruption of continuity of spinal cord.  Our respiratory centers have supply from C3 TO C6 cord segments..If the present situation is due to edema of cord then situation will perfectly resolve with time but if there is complete disruption of cord then situation goes towards the dependency on mechanical ventilation more.  Although medical science is developing day by day so you should be optimistic for future.In my practice i have seen some patients improving upto a good level.At present he/she needs supportive treatment with good physiotherapy.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Take care  Regards, Dr. Mukesh Tiwari