What is the risk of spinal cord injury in a person with a unilateral fracture of the left facet of C-6? 2 years ago I suffered this injury in a mountain biking accident. No surgery was required. I returned to work 8 weeks after the incident. Presently have no pain and a slight rotational deficit at the limit of turning my head. I wish to begin cycling again but am concerned about re-injury or worse suffering a spinal cord injury from another fall. I am a 6 tall male 200#.
Hi, thank-you for providing the brief history. As the C6 fracture cannot lead to long term spinal cord injury. There may be a possibility of having nerve root impingement in the future if the neck muscles become weak. I will advise you to undergo and thorough clinical examination and an MRI of the neck. Also, with physical therapy you can regain the strength in the neck muscles and keep the normal anatomical alignment of the bony structures in the cervical spine, and you can avoid nerve root impingement. Using a collar while your sports is important to avoid any injury to the neck muscles and even can avoid the misalignment of the cervical spine. Regards Jay In Chat Doctor. 