In a remarkable medical feat, Megan King, a 35-year-old woman from Illinois, has survived a rare and often fatal condition known as internal decapitation, thanks to a series of complex surgeries that reattached her skull to her spine.

The Incident

At the age of 16, during a gym class in 2005, Megan leapt to catch a ball and landed awkwardly, injuring her right ankle and spine, and tearing muscles off both shoulder blades. Despite undergoing numerous surgeries, her condition deteriorated over the years, leading to further complications.​

Diagnosis and Complications

A decade after the initial injury, Megan was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a genetic disorder affecting the body’s production of collagen, resulting in joint instability and other complications. In 2016, her neck became dislocated, necessitating the use of a halo brace—a device screwed into the skull to immobilize the neck. During the removal of this brace, her skull detached from her spine, causing an internal decapitation, medically termed atlanto-occipital dislocation.​

Emergency Intervention

Megan recounted the harrowing experience: “I flew my chair back to keep gravity from decapitating me. My neurosurgeon had to hold my skull in place with his hands. I couldn’t stand. My right side was shaking uncontrollably.” She was rushed into emergency surgery, where doctors performed a spinal fusion, reattaching her skull to her spine.​

Recovery and Resilience

To date, Megan has undergone 37 surgeries. Her spine is now fused from her skull to her pelvis, rendering her unable to move her head or spine. She described her condition: “I’m literally a human statue. My spine doesn’t move at all. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped living.” Megan has resumed some of her previous activities, including bowling, and continues to adapt to her new physical limitations.​

Raising Awareness

Megan shares her journey on social media to raise awareness about hEDS and the challenges associated with it. She emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and understanding of rare genetic disorders. Her story serves as an inspiration to many facing similar health challenges.​

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