Post by MOnarchsRule on Sept 10, 2007 17:11:57 GMT -5
KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) -- The Kansas City Monarchs Kevin Everett sustained a "catastrophic" and life-threatening spinal-cord injury due to an off-season incident and his chances of regaining a full range of body motion are very small, an orthopedic surgeon said Monday.
"A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely," Dr. Andrew Cappuccino said, one day after performing a four-hour operation on the player. "I believe there will be some permanent neurological paralysis. ... A full neurological recovery was bleak, dismal."
Cappuccino noted the 25-year-old reserve tight end did have touch sensation throughout his body and also showed signs of movement. But he cautioned that Everett's injury remained life-threatening, saying the player is still susceptible to blood clots, infection and breathing failure.
Everett is currently under forced sedation and breathing through a respirator as doctors wait for the swelling to lessen. Cappuccino said it will take up to three days to determine the severity of the injury and the recovery process.
During the operation, Cappuccino repaired a break between the third and fourth vertebrae and also alleviated the pressure on the spinal cord. The process included a bone graft and the insertion of a plate and four screws.
Cappuccino said Everett was alert and is aware of the extent of his injuries.
"I was honest with him, and he told me, 'Do everything you can to help me,"' said Cappuccino, who works for the Monarchs as a consultant, specializing in spinal surgery.
Cappuccino received permission to operate from Everett's mother, Patricia Dugas, who spoke by phone from her home in Houston.
From a press conference at Arrowhead, Head Coach Donnie Henderson said,"We honor ourselves by our work, and we honor Kevin by moving forward and working while never forgetting Kevin and never getting him out of our thoughts and prayers." Team owner Sean Calliard added, "We're going to wait and see what the outcome is here and we're really hoping and praying for the best."
Kansas City's 2005 fourth-round draft pick out of Miami, Everett missed his rookie season because of a knee injury. He spent most of last year playing special teams. He was hoping to make an impact as a receiver.
His injury recalled the one to Mike Utley, the former NFL Detroit Lions guard who was paralyzed below the chest. He injured his neck in a collision during a 1991 game.
"I'm sorry this young man got hurt," Utley told the AP. "It wasn't a cheap shot. It was a great form tackle and that's it."
The 41-year-old Utley now lives in Washington state and is promoting a bike tour aimed at raising money in an effort to cure paralysis.
"These are big strong men competing at the highest level. You can do everything to prepare yourself - lift weights and all that," Utley said. "But is it going to happen again? Yes."
"A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely," Dr. Andrew Cappuccino said, one day after performing a four-hour operation on the player. "I believe there will be some permanent neurological paralysis. ... A full neurological recovery was bleak, dismal."
Cappuccino noted the 25-year-old reserve tight end did have touch sensation throughout his body and also showed signs of movement. But he cautioned that Everett's injury remained life-threatening, saying the player is still susceptible to blood clots, infection and breathing failure.
Everett is currently under forced sedation and breathing through a respirator as doctors wait for the swelling to lessen. Cappuccino said it will take up to three days to determine the severity of the injury and the recovery process.
During the operation, Cappuccino repaired a break between the third and fourth vertebrae and also alleviated the pressure on the spinal cord. The process included a bone graft and the insertion of a plate and four screws.
Cappuccino said Everett was alert and is aware of the extent of his injuries.
"I was honest with him, and he told me, 'Do everything you can to help me,"' said Cappuccino, who works for the Monarchs as a consultant, specializing in spinal surgery.
Cappuccino received permission to operate from Everett's mother, Patricia Dugas, who spoke by phone from her home in Houston.
From a press conference at Arrowhead, Head Coach Donnie Henderson said,"We honor ourselves by our work, and we honor Kevin by moving forward and working while never forgetting Kevin and never getting him out of our thoughts and prayers." Team owner Sean Calliard added, "We're going to wait and see what the outcome is here and we're really hoping and praying for the best."
Kansas City's 2005 fourth-round draft pick out of Miami, Everett missed his rookie season because of a knee injury. He spent most of last year playing special teams. He was hoping to make an impact as a receiver.
His injury recalled the one to Mike Utley, the former NFL Detroit Lions guard who was paralyzed below the chest. He injured his neck in a collision during a 1991 game.
"I'm sorry this young man got hurt," Utley told the AP. "It wasn't a cheap shot. It was a great form tackle and that's it."
The 41-year-old Utley now lives in Washington state and is promoting a bike tour aimed at raising money in an effort to cure paralysis.
"These are big strong men competing at the highest level. You can do everything to prepare yourself - lift weights and all that," Utley said. "But is it going to happen again? Yes."