Based on the information that has been made public, there are reasons to stay positive about Jack Campbell’s recovery.
Dr. Ari Berg, Spine Surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Health, told The Post on Thursday that while it’s unclear what specific injury and the severity of which Campbell has suffered, the movement in his legs is “definitely encouraging.”
Dr. Berg also offered some insight into why Campbell regained movement in his lower body before his upper body.
The four-year linebacker gave an update Wednesday that he has “full movement” in his lower body and is “continuing to make progress with movement in my upper body” in what were his first comments since the scary neck injury suffered on Sunday.
It’s possible that Campbell has central cord syndrome, which occurs when someone hyperextends his or her neck that causes bruising or a “stinger” to the center of the spinal cord that’s behind the bones of the neck, Dr. Berg explained.
“At the very center of the spinal cord is where you have control of the arms,” Berg said. “More toward the periphery of the spinal cord, you have control of the legs and that’s why when you have this contusion of the center of the spinal cord, it’s more common that you see this weakness in the arms and the upper extremities more so than the legs.”
Dr. Berg added there is good news in that it’s an incomplete spinal cord injury, meaning the spinal cord appears to be fully intact.
As far as the recovery timeline, especially regarding upper-body movement, it’s predicted on a case by case basis. Time also needs to be allowed for the swelling to go down to evaluate his prognosis, Dr. Berg explained.
“[The] long-term prognosis is still, we still need a little bit more information before we can make that judgement,” he said, before adding that Campbell has his “work cut out for him” regarding rehab.
“It could be weeks. It could be months. It could take longer than that. It’s just too soon to call,” Dr. Berg went on. “Again, encouraging that he’s already shown improvements and hopefully he continues on that upper trajectory.”
Still, the 26-year-old has a chance to make a complete recovery as some patients do. Others may have some residual deficits, which depends on the magnitude of the injury and impact on one’s spinal cord.
USA Today’s medical reports added that central cord syndrome can be very painful for patients and cause arms and hands sensitive to touch, as well as greatly diminish one’s grip strength.
During the fourth quarter of the Lions’ 19-15 win the Vikings, Campbell attempted to tackle Minnesota tight end TJ Hockenson when his neck and back seemed to crunch.
He was then put in a stretcher and rushed to a local Detroit hospital in an ambulance.
In Campbell’s statement released by the Lions, he added he remains “very optimistic” and is taking “things one day at a time.”
Campbell, who has a 4-month-old son Cooper with his wife Megan, is currently in his fourth NFL season after he was taken with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2023 draft to Detroit.
Across seven games this season, he has 57 tackles.
The Lions (5-2) are on the road to face the Dolphins (1-6) on Sunday afternoon.
