What exactly is a cervical spine injury? An in-depth look at Jake Muzzin's career-threatening injury

A cervical spine injury is typically the most severe type of spinal cord injury. They may result in quadriplegia or tetraplegia with associated loss of muscle strength in all four extremities. Muzzin has been in the gym every day - according to the Leafs at least, which is good news. But it does not mean that he will be able to resume playing. Given that the Leafs initially diagnosed Muzzin with a neck injury, his injury has a greater chance of affecting a larger portion of his body and mobility as the Shepherd Center states that if the cervical spine injury is closer to the brain, it can affect a larger portion of the body.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, an injury to the neck (as the Leafs first diagnosed Muzzin with) the first and second vertebrae in the spinal column (C1, C2), or the mid-cervical vertebrae (C3, C4, and C5) affects the respiratory muscles and the ability to breathe.

The Shepherd Center also states that most injuries are permanent, however, and while the Leafs have been quiet in any additional after-effects of his injury, the news that Muzzin has been in the gym every day is a very good sign for his quality of life outside of hockey. Another good sign for Muzzin is that he has not needed any surgery to reduce pressure or stabilize areas in his spine, but it would still be a small miracle if he were to resume his playing career.

If this is the end of Muzzin's career, it is a very unfortunate way for it to end. Particularly because of hard he has played throughout his career, but as Dubas said yesterday, his quality of life after hockey is what is paramount.

https://www.shepherd.org/patient-programs/spinal-cord-injury/levels-and-types/Cervical-Spinal-Cord-Injury

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890