Bills' Kevin Everett in surgery

Dont even want to think it

 

Agent says Everett has 'sparse movement' after a lengthy surgery that included removal of bone chips.

Prayers go out to the young man.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3012007

 

Someone said dislocated neck.

 

Awful. Hoping for the best . . .

 

So sad... frightening to see.

 

Spinal cord injuries may take awhile to determine what he final outcome as to function might be, depending upon the injury and surgery. Fractures of the vertebrae (the bones) can be displaced or nondisplaced (dislocated) and that may determine how much room in the spinal canal exists for the spinal cord. The less room, the more chance of the sord to be pinched or have room to swell. Verterbal bodies can also burst, with pieces of bone entering and damaging the cord.

In spinal cord injuries, the porgnosis and progress is measured in how many levels of function are saved or recovered. If the injury is above the 4th cervical vertebra, breathing becomes difficult, because that is the level from where nerves that ennervate the breathing muscles arise. At the level of C5 and T1 (between the 7th cervical vertebra and the 1st thoracic) all function in the arms is maintained, so each level up or down will decide shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand function.

Neck injuries are never good and emergency surgery is not necessarily a positive step. A terrible injury and I hope Mr. Everett beats the odds.

 

One neck injury is too many, but it nevertheless amazes me how few serious ones there have been in both the NFL and college overall, especially considering how big and fast the players have become over the years.

One of the things that has always stuck with me from covering an NFL locker room is the big sign each one has near the door that says SEE WHAT YOU HIT. I guess that's one of the big keys to staying safe.

 

Very good stuff, as usual doc. There was a report that there were some bone chips removed. I would suspect that is not a good sign?

 

I hope this kid will regain some function. I can't even imagine a life like that.

Prayers.

 

One of my best friends has been a quadriplegic for almost 30 years.
He's got one of the best attitudes you'll ever see.

 

Any type of movement after an injury like this is a positive. Hold a good thought.