Back in the Game After a Devastating Spinal Cord Injury
After a car accident left 18-year-old soccer captain Molly Mack with two broken cervical vertebrae and a serious spinal cord injury, her family was told she might never walk again. Emergency surgery with Kimberly Ashayeri, MD, stabilized and reconstructed Molly’s neck—giving her the foundation to begin an extraordinary recovery.
In a Matter of Seconds, Everything Changed
Molly was traveling with friends to celebrate her 18th birthday when another vehicle struck their SUV. The vehicle overturned, ejecting Molly as it rolled.
First responders sent her to the trauma center at Morristown Medical Center, where physicians discovered serious injuries involving her neck, ribs, lungs, spleen and right arm. Once Molly was stable enough for an MRI, the full extent of the damage became clear.
Molly had fractured two cervical vertebrae and sustained swelling around her spinal cord. The injury threatened both her ability to walk and the future she had imagined as a competitive soccer player.
With an unstable cervical spine and pressure on the injured spinal cord, Molly needed highly specialized surgical care—and she needed it quickly.
A Complex Injury Called for a Complex Spine Surgeon
After reviewing Molly’s MRI, the pediatric neurosurgeon on call consulted Kimberly Ashayeri, MD, for her expertise in complex spine surgery. Together, the physicians met with Molly’s parents and explained the severity of the injury, the threat to her spinal cord and the need for emergency surgery.
Molly’s family was facing an urgent decision under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Learning more about Dr. Ashayeri’s experience gave them confidence that their daughter was in highly capable hands.
The surgical priorities were clear: relieve pressure on the injured spinal cord, reconstruct Molly’s damaged cervical spine and create the stability needed for recovery.
“The accolades for Dr. Ashayeri were over the top. We just won the lottery.”
— Marybeth Mack, Molly’s mother
Two Procedures. One Critical Goal.
Dr. Ashayeri’s surgical plan addressed both immediate pressure on Molly’s spinal cord and the structural instability caused by the fractured vertebrae.
Cervical Laminectomy
Dr. Ashayeri performed a cervical laminectomy to create more room for Molly’s injured and swollen spinal cord. Removing pressure from the spinal cord was essential to protecting neurological function and supporting recovery.
Explore Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion →C3–C6 Cervical Fusion
Dr. Ashayeri then used screws and rods to stabilize and reconstruct the damaged area from C3 through C6. The fusion provided the structural support Molly’s neck needed as her spinal cord and other injuries began to heal.
Learn About Cervical Fusion →Protect Molly’s spinal cord while creating a stable foundation for rehabilitation.
Recovery, One Milestone at a Time
Surgery stabilized Molly’s spine, but recovery required time, intensive rehabilitation and the determination to rebuild strength and movement step by step.
Healing in the ICU
Molly remained in the Morristown Medical Center ICU for two weeks as she recovered from spine surgery and underwent an additional operation to repair her right arm.
Walking 45 Feet
After transferring to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Molly walked 45 feet with help from her physical therapist—even though holding up her head and remaining upright were still difficult.
Rebuilding Strength and Control
Molly progressed from walking with a crutch and ankle brace to moving around the rehabilitation gym independently. Physical and occupational therapy helped retrain her leg, arms and hands.
Dribbling a Soccer Ball Again
Before leaving inpatient rehabilitation, Molly reached a milestone that once seemed impossible: she began dribbling a soccer ball again. At her follow-up visit, she walked in without assistance.
“I won’t rule out anything for Molly. She just keeps working hard and improving.”
— Kimberly Ashayeri, MDThe Details Matter When a Family Is Focused on Recovery
Molly’s surgery was one critical moment in a much longer journey. As she moved from the ICU to rehabilitation and then home, the Atlantic Brain and Spine team helped her family navigate the clinical and logistical details surrounding her care.
“It was concierge-level service. Whatever we needed, they got back to me within an hour. Everyone there is so good.”
— Marybeth Mack, Molly’s motherHelping Molly’s Family Focus on What Mattered Most
The ABS office coordinated the practical pieces of Molly’s ongoing care so her family could focus its energy on her healing and rehabilitation.
- Follow-up appointments
- Imaging coordination
- Paperwork and records
- Prescription support
- Communication with the care team
- Continued surgical follow-up
For the Mack family, expert surgery and responsive support were both essential parts of helping Molly move forward.
Back on Her Feet—and Focused on What Comes Next
More than six weeks after the accident, Molly returned home and continued outpatient physical and occupational therapy. Her recovery was still underway, but the possibilities ahead of her looked very different than they had in the first days after the crash.
Walking Independently
At her follow-up appointment with Dr. Ashayeri, Molly walked through the door without assistance, wearing only an ankle brace.
Continuing Rehabilitation
Molly continued working to restore strength, movement and function through outpatient physical and occupational therapy.
Returning to Her Life
She remained focused on completing her senior year and working toward her goal of returning to competitive soccer in college.
The Goal Was to Give Molly the Strongest Possible Foundation for Recovery
Emergency surgery could not determine every part of Molly’s future. It relieved pressure on her spinal cord, stabilized her cervical spine and created the opportunity for rehabilitation, determination and time to do their work.
Facing a Complex Cervical Spine Diagnosis?
Molly’s injury required emergency treatment, but every cervical spine condition is different. Learn more about the expertise and procedures that may be considered based on your diagnosis, imaging and goals.
Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion
Learn how decompression and stabilization may be used together to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and support the cervical spine.
Complex Spine Surgery
Explore surgical care for spinal instability, deformity, tumors, trauma and other conditions requiring advanced reconstruction.
Request a Spine Second Opinion
Have your diagnosis, imaging and surgical recommendation reviewed by a specialist before deciding on your next step.
Individual results and recovery experiences vary. A specialist can explain which treatment options may be appropriate for your specific condition.
Get Answers From a Complex Spine Specialist
Whether you are facing a new diagnosis, considering surgery or looking for another opinion, our team can review your situation and help you understand the options.
