# Recovery after being shot threw the spine **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 28, 2015, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687 "2015-06-28T09:15:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AMGF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@AMGF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AMGF)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/1 "2015-06-28T09:15:01Z")
I’m writing a book where the main character (speaker) is shot threw the spine in the line of duty. What I’ve got planned is that the bullet enters his lower back goes threw his spine and lodges itself the other side. What I need to know is possible injuries apared from being paralysed and recovery times, time spent in hospital… That sort of thing. It’s based in England and we get all medical fees free so no need to worry about the insurance. ---
**Author:** ![mrclose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/94ad74/32.png) [@mrclose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrclose)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/2 "2015-06-28T09:26:00Z")
> [@AMGF](#): > > I’m writing a book where the main character (speaker) is shot threw the spine in the line of duty. > What I’ve got planned is that the bullet enters his lower back goes threw his spine and lodges itself the other side. > What I need to know is possible injuries apared from being paralysed and recovery times, time spent in hospital… That sort of thing. > > It’s based in England and we get all medical fees free so no need to worry about the insurance. Depends I was wounded in nam … shot through the left side and the projectile spun around my spine, taking out three vertebra. I couldn’t move or actually breathe on my own power for over six months but recovered enough to walk out of the hospital on my own power. I still have problems with coordination, (I drop things a lot) but other than that … I feel normal. Oh, The projectile is still there. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/3 "2015-06-28T09:50:21Z")
Nitpick: [del]threw[/del] through. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/4 "2015-06-28T10:07:27Z")
Too variable to answer. The actual injury could vary considerably depending on the type of projectile and how far it had travelled for example. Also, two fit young soldiers with identical wounds can have very different outcomes. It might depend on the first aid at the scene, how long before treatment, psychology, family support and even, possibly, faith. ---
**Author:** ![AMGF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@AMGF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AMGF)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/5 "2015-06-28T11:51:43Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Too variable to answer. The actual injury could vary considerably depending on the type of projectile and how far it had travelled for example. Also, two fit young soldiers with identical wounds can have very different outcomes. It might depend on the first aid at the scene, how long before treatment, psychology, family support and even, possibly, faith. Good first aid, main treatment in England, suborn and bull headed person, good family support but doesn’t really know them and has no faith. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/6 "2015-06-28T12:57:58Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Nitpick: [del]threw[/del] through. NOT a nitpick. The guy claims to be a writer. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/7 "2015-06-28T15:35:10Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Nitpick: [del]threw[/del] through. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > NOT a nitpick. The guy claims to be a writer. His “apared” ought to be “apart” as well. He’s off to a good start, I’d say 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AMGF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@AMGF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AMGF)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/8 "2015-06-28T17:14:52Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > His “apared” ought to be “apart” as well. > > He’s off to a good start, I’d say 🙂 I’m dyslexic you dicks… Just because I can’t spell doesn’t mean I can’t write a good story! ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/9 "2015-06-28T21:21:10Z")
And your wonderful personality is sure to charm the publishers! ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/10 "2015-06-28T21:40:20Z")
> [@mrclose](#): > > Depends > > I was wounded in nam … shot through the left side and the projectile spun around my spine, taking out three vertebra. > > I couldn’t move or actually breathe on my own power for over six months but recovered enough to walk out of the hospital on my own power. > > I still have problems with coordination, (I drop things a lot) but other than that … I feel normal. > > Oh, The projectile is still there. Is that where your username comes from? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/11 "2015-06-28T21:42:37Z")
> [@AMGF](#): > > I’m dyslexic you dicks… Just because I can’t spell doesn’t mean I can’t write a good story! I’m not too familiar with dyslexia but how does it explain spelling “through” as “threw”? That just seems like a plain old mistake to me. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/12 "2015-06-28T22:02:51Z")
> [@AMGF](#): > > I’m dyslexic you dicks… Just because I can’t spell doesn’t mean I can’t write a good story! If you intend to publish it, you need to make sure that not only do you spell every word correctly, but also use the right word. You spelled “threw” correctly, but it was not the right word to use when you meant “through.” So this is a good example of why you shouldn’t depend on auto-correct. You should hire a good proofreader at the very least. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/13 "2015-06-28T22:06:42Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@AMGF](#): > > I’m dyslexic you dicks… Welcome to the SDMB, **AMGF**. Please note that we have a rule here against insulting others (calling other users dicks, for example) in all forums except The BBQ Pit. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/14 "2015-06-28T23:01:52Z")
nm (I’ve got to start reading the whole thread before I post.) ---
**Author:** ![AMGF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@AMGF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AMGF)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/15 "2015-06-28T23:13:52Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > Welcome to the SDMB, **AMGF**. > > Please note that we have a rule here against insulting others (calling other users dicks, for example) in all forums except The BBQ Pit. I am sorry for my langauge but I get really upset I regretted it as soon as I hit send:smack: Dyslexia effects you from making simple mistakes as seen above to using completely different letters in place of other e.g. p instead of q. It also makes reading a painful activity as the letters move. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/16 "2015-06-28T23:47:01Z")
> [@AMGF](#): > > I am sorry for my langauge but I get really upset I regretted it as soon as I hit send:smack: > > … There’s a 5-minute edit window. Just FYI. Don’t get upset. Welcome the corrections. Seriously. When I first joined, I got my feelings hurt and left for several months. I came back because there is NO message board like this one. The people here are so goddammed smart. ---
**Author:** ![mrclose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/94ad74/32.png) [@mrclose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrclose)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687/17 "2015-06-29T21:33:51Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Is that where your username comes from? 😉 Now that you mention it … 😃