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C1 fracture

Posted by 5georgeyy @5georgeyy, Aug 22, 2024

2.5 weeks ago had a accident and I have a C1 fracture. Wondering what healing process and prognosis is like for others that have experienced this?

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gmarosie | @gmarosie | Dec 30, 2025

I suffered from occipital neuralgia and was later diagnosed with severe cervical stenosis. I was in so much pain with no relief. Pain mgt doc sent me to PT. The therapists helped me to strengthen my neck and back muscles. It took 4 months (June-Oct)to recover and I am down from 4 gabapentin a day to one every other day as I wean off. I feel like my old self again. I do those exercises religiously!!

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jnj59 | @jnj59 | Dec 30, 2025
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@jnj59 Welcome to Connect. I think the heavy head feeling is muscle weakness because of your..." + (show)
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@jnj59 Welcome to Connect. I think the heavy head feeling is muscle weakness because of your time in the collar. It is exhausting. I went through that because I had a fusion with no hardware and was in a hard collar for 3 months. After that I was in physical therapy, and it took about 3 months until I was stronger. It will get better. Just take it easy and rest as needed. I was supposed to wean out of the collar over about 4 weeks time gradually increasing daily time out of the collar. Walking will probably help as it will be gently working the neck muscles while your head is balanced.

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@jenniferhunter thank you! It has been quite the experience thus far. I had a hard time swallowing for a long time, which has progressively improved. Thankfully, no other neurological deficits other than some radiculopathy from bulging discs that has since improved with gabapentin. Pain still varies from 1-4/10 at the base of my skull and some muscle strain now from the stress of holding my head up for periods of time. I haven’t started physical therapy yet. It sounds like I need to wait for after my next set of dynamic radiographs to ensure I’m still stable. I am cleared to walk as much as I feel comfortable. Thank you for sharing your experience!

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jayreale | @jayreale | Jan 21 12:10pm

Broke my C1 in the center of both posterior and anterior arches on November 10th surfing (been surfing for 46 years). Been in a hard collar since. I remove to shower, eat and shave, but the last CT taken at 9 weeks showed no bone growth. Very frustrating. I am walking a ton (25-30 miles/week) and doc said that's good, and also been lifting light dumbbells to maintain some fitness.

I thought I would be out of this neck brace by now, and to show no bone growth on the breaks is baffling me. I've been taking collagen peptides every day, increasing calcium, eating a balanced diet, and a lifelong athlete, etc.

Thinking of trying BPC-157. Anyone have any experience with this?

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gently | @gently | Jan 21 6:21pm

Sometimes people with non-healing fractures are given Forteo, which speeds healing by increasing bone growth. It is a daily injection in the thigh or stomach. I'd try that before BPC-157 because of the risk of infection with injected BPC-157. I've no experience with the latter, but am having a good experience with Forteo which I'm taking for osteoporosis. Orthopedists sometimes prescribe Forteo for several months after surgeries to help integrate bone into hardware. If you opt for surgery with screws Forteo would still be a good option.
Best wishes.

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