Paralysis May Leave 27-Year-Old Man Quadriplegic After Breaking His Neck From Leaping Into a Foam Pit

Foam pits are gymnastics equipment that are not only enjoyed by children but by adults as well. It is a box filled with foam cubes to cushion a falling jumper. Like ball pits, foam pits are believed to have therapeutic multi-sensory benefits, providing kinesthetic stimulation and relaxation. However, this equipment must be used with safety precautions since serious and catastrophic injuries can occur while playing inside the foam pit.

Foam Pit Leap Gone Wrong

In Blimea, Spain, a 27-year-old man broke his neck and got his spinal cord severely injured after jumping into a foam pit. It happened on August 28 at a newly-opened leisure and games area for children and adults in the nearby town of Colloto.

The man was accompanied by his girlfriend and friends when he got injured. Emergency services were called after the man was found unconscious following his jump. He was immediately rushed to the Central University Hospital of Asturias, but doctors fear the injury may leave him quadriplegic.

It was found that the man's spine was broken at C3, the third cervical vertebra located halfway down the neck. Although the man has undergone surgery, laboratory tests revealed that he had a complete spinal cord injury. This means the patient may be unable to move his arms or legs. He remains in the hospital and is currently on assisted ventilation.

The venue had only opened three days prior to the incident. It remains open despite the accident, with only the foam pit being closed. Authorities are investigating how the accident happened to the Blimea man.

One of the partners in the establishment stated that their facility complies with all the safety measures. They insisted the accident was not their fault since they ensured the installation was good.

What is Quadriplegia?

Spinal cord injuries can result from damage to the spinal vertebra or by direct damage to the spinal cord. Depending on where the damage is, spine injury can lead to the paralysis of the limbs. It can also cause changes in a person's bodily strength, movement, and functions below the site of injury.

Spinal cord injuries can be incomplete, meaning the remaining nerve signals are still transmitted. As a result, there could be some other sensory function or muscle control below the injury site. Meanwhile, complete spinal cord injuries are characterized by an entirely damaged nerve, with no signals to pass below the site of injury. People who experience complete injuries may suffer from quadriplegia.

Also known as tetraplegia, quadriplegia is a form of paralysis that affects all four limbs and the torso. It can be a life-altering medical condition since the patient may not be able to move completely.

This paralysis usually results from spinal cord damage, particularly in the cervical spine between C1 and C7. The higher the spine injury, the more serious the damage. Fortunately, it is still possible to recover some bodily functions below the site of injury with rehabilitation.