C4 Spinal Injury question (quadriplegic)

If a patient has a fracture at the C4 level which causes them to become a quadriplegic (which can come about from a broken neck, right?) then what determines if he/she has sensation and control of the rest of the body? I'm wondering in particular, how much the lumbosacral area would be affected, the area to do with bowels, bladder, and sexual functions... I know it can depend on individual cases, but is it possible for a person's lumbosacral area to be mostly unaffected with that kind of injury? Thanks for the help XD

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, with higher level fractures the severity of neurological loss can be variable. Quadriplegia would occur in the worst case scenario while there may be variable sparing of a few areas.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!