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Specialists help teen make amazing recovery from severe spinal cord injuries
To his family and friends, and even the orthopaedic specialists who provided his extraordinary care, 16-year-old Nicholas “Nic” Zimmerman is a walking miracle.
Nic faced the likelihood of permanent paralysis after a swimming accident last July. He and two friends had ventured to a lake near his home in Vinton, Iowa.
“We were jumping into the water, trying to skim the surface,” he says.
Instead, Nic did a somersault and landed head-first in about three feet of water. He emerged just long enough to plea for help, unable to move.
His friends carefully pulled him to shore and called 911. An ambulance crew responded to the scene and immediately called AirCare helicopter, which transported Nic to University of Iowa Children's Hospital at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. As home to the only Level I trauma center in the region, the hospital provides around-the-clock comprehensive specialty care for patients with multiple trauma.
The nightmarish accident had caused a dislocation between the third and fourth vertebrae in Nic’s neck (shattering the disk between them), severely damaging all of the ligaments and supporting structures between these vertebrae and impacting his spinal cord.
“Most people with injuries of his type end up paralyzed so we had reason to fear the worst,” says orthopaedic surgeon Sergio Mendoza, M.D. “But we are strong advocates for acute intervention, and our efforts focus on reducing these injuries as soon as possible. In Nic’s case, we reduced and stabilized his spine within the first day.”
In the succeeding days, while Nic received 24-hour care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the care team devised a strategy designed to assure the best possible outcome. Included in those plans was a second surgical procedure to place permanent metal screws between the damaged bones to provide additional stability that would allow Nic to rehabilitate without restrictions.
About a week after the accident, Nic’s daily progress was so positive, that the team became more optimistic about his prognosis.
Indeed, Nic left the hospital after 31 days, requiring neither wheelchair nor walker. “On his second clinic visit after leaving the hospital, he came in with a completely normal gait and full dexterity in his hands,” Mendoza says. “Nic’s recovery has been truly amazing.”
Still, a long period of rehabilitation lies ahead.
“We’ve been told a full recovery may take months or even years, so there’s a lot of work to be done,” says Nic’s mother, Sarah. “Right now he is continuing to work hard on improving his strength. Just by looking at him, you wouldn’t know he had the accident. And his life is almost back to normal. It’s pretty incredible.”
The Zimmermans are deeply grateful for the support of family and friends, and they feel blessed by all the health care professionals involved in Nic’s care.
In addition to Mendoza and orthopaedic surgeons Kevin Jones, M.D., and Aaron Altenburg, M.D., the care team’s management included Joseph Chen, M.D., a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation; Don VanDyke, M.D., who coordinated Nic’s rehabilitation in the Center for Disabilities and Development; and support staff such as physical therapists and occupational therapists.
“We totally appreciate everything and everyone involved in Nic’s care,” Sarah says. “God stuck with us every step of the way!”
About the UI Spine Center
The UI Spine Center offers comprehensive spine treatment programs, with multiple treatment options extending far beyond surgical interventions. The multidisciplinary team of skilled specialists includes three specialized spine surgeons, two physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation), three clinical nurses, five physical therapists, two clinical psychologists, one vocational rehabilitation therapist, and one social worker. “This multidisciplinary approach makes us unique, and our ability to treat people with spinal disorders goes far beyond finding adequate candidates for surgery,” says Sergio Mendoza. To schedule an appointment with UI spine physicians, 319-356-7037.
Close Call
Pre-operative MRI (below) shows spine dislocation while post-operative x-ray (right) shows reconstructive outcome.
A Scarey Site
Nic Zimmerman's dramatic recovery from a serious neck injury began at a lake where friends Jessica Langguth (left) and Jeremy Annie (right) helped move him safely to shore.
Sergio Mendoza, M.D.
"We are strong advocates for acute intervention and our efforts focus on reducing these injuries as soon as possible."
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