Carina Hasenöhrl Badly Injured (23rd November, 2006)

Carina Hasenöhrl (18) was badly injured in a training accident in the Netherlands on November 7th. She landed a double front on the floor on her head with full force. The MRI-diagnosis revealed that the 4th cervical vertebra is broken and the 3rd vertebrae is dislocated but luckily there are no signs of paralysis (anymore).

Backflip spoke to Carina who explained what happened. ‘I was brought to the hospital by an ambulance and x-rays were made. They didn't see anything wrong so they sent me back home. But immediately after the accident had happened I had those symptoms of paralysis in my arms and in my right leg. That's why the sports doctor of the Dutch Federation made an appointment for a MRI (at another hospital) on November 16th. That's when they found out that I had actually broken my 4th (neck) vertebrae and the 3rd one was dislocated (into the front). I was very very lucky things have turned out this way - it could have been much worse... imagine being around with a broken vertebrae for 9 days. I’m just shocked!’

Carina Hasenöhrl had to have a surgery called Crutchfield Extension - four screws were put into her head and a steel construction was fixed on them. The third cervical vertebra is now stabilised and pressure is put off the fourth. For now Hasenöhrl is painfree. Throughout the healing process it will became obvious if more surgery will be necessary.

ÖFT-team doctor Dr. Robert Kandelhart said the length of rehabilitaion, the healing process and the possibility of returning to high level sports can't be determined yet. At best case it will take 4 months until she can start training again.

Everyone at Backflip wishes Carina well in her recovery. If you would like to send Carina your get well messages, please mail them to her club at the address below:

Carina Hasenöhrl
Pro Patria Zoetermeer
Postbus 7432
2701 AK Zoetermeer
Holland