Compression fracture of the vertebrae?

[Amaretto]

I fractured my L4 vertebrae at the start of December, spending a week in hospital. Been off work since and have to wear a back brace, use heat pads, heavy painkillers etc to manage the pain.

Although I have been doing really well, I'm not allowed to ride for a while. Been to the surgeon today, and although the fracture is healing nicely, riding is a no no for now.

Gutted, as I have a rising 5yo who was coming on really well.

Anyway, wondered if anyone else has had this injury? Were you told not to ride? How long were you not allowed to ride for?

 

[BigRed]

Not quite the same thing, but I had two vertebrae bolted together in July. They wrapped a cage around them and filled in the gap with donor bone chips so I had to wait for them to fuse before I could ride. I had a gentle walk on my horse after 6 weeks. The surgeon told me the graft was solid by then. I was only up for a very quiet walk, but then I had muscle damage from the surgery too. I am 100% now.

Please don't be tempted to rush, especially riding a young inexperienced horse. You only have one back.

 

[soulfull]

My ex did this to 2 of his. He wasn't a rider so can't help on that front. however it was a weakness for a good few years and he damaged it further when he dropped his motorcycle and tried to catch it!! Ouch had to treat his back with kid gloves for 5 or 6 years.

sorry not what you wanted to hear I know

HUGS

 

[AandK]

i had a similar injury over 10yrs ago.. i had a fracture of my T5 from falling off at a sponsored ride (fell onto my feet but fell straight backwards and landed on my bum!) the thing that affected me the most was the muscle damage from the way i fell, it was a long time ago but from what i can remember it was a fair few weeks before my back could take riding again, but at the time i didn't know i had a fracture!! the hospital i went to said i was fine, just muscle spasm causing the pain.. got a letter a few weeks later saying a specialist had looked at my x-rays and confirmed the fracture and to see my GP for further treatment..
my case doesn't sound as serious as yours (wasn't seen by a surgeon, no back brace and a different area of the back) but i would def recommend physio if you are not having it already, to help strengthen your back for when you start riding again. good luck!

 

[sarahHugo]

I feel for you.
I fractured my leg very badly on Good Friday and had an op to pin it back. I was told no riding for a year!
I was silly and had a couple of rides, but my boy started bunny hopping, and I just wanted to get off. You lose all enjoyment when you shouldnt be doing it.

I am on the waiting list to have my second op and then I can start again (hopefully just in time for summer!!)

It's so hard and it's been awful. I can walk and feel fine, but it's just not worth the risk getting on (even through it wasnt that painful when I did).
Just a bugger when you are up at 5am mucking out and you cant have a ride!!
Just follow your surgeons advise. Six months a year or whatever out of a lifetime will soon pass!
Get well soon! and dont be tempted!! xx

 

[Cobsndogs]

I had compression fractures of L1 and 2 about 3years ago. Had 3 months off work and told not to ride for 6 months, although it was really about a year before I could get fully back into it. Still have times now when it is really uncomfortable, and do suffer stiffness and gone a bit crooked !.
I also had a 5 year old, who had been doing nicely so it was really frustrating. He started to turn into a bit of a thug, so my husband had to ride him to keep him in work, and even did some dressage on him. We still have him, although hubby is sure his career is now going to be jumping.

 

[georgie0]

I did the same a year ago and was on sick pay for 6 months. For some reason (mainly cause the NHS were undecided if i had done anything serious despite X-Rays that said otherwise) it didn't heal very quickly. I am just about *touch wood* back to normal, but still have a collection of fluid (lovely...!) It was a good few months before i could ride properly again. sorry!

 

[LoneRanger]

Hmm, there must be varying degrees of compression fracture. I fractured one verterbra but didn't realise for 3 weeks (pain from broken ribs worse than back). Had it x-rayed 4 weeks after the initial injury and was told that since I had been riding since the day after the accident, I may as well carry on as usual. Can't remember which vertebra it was exactly, somewhere between shoulder blades. It was a stable fracture though and suspect yours may not be, given the treatment you are receiving. Hope you recover soon.

 

[vic07]

I had a compression and a burst fracture at T6. Spent 4 weeks in hospital, then wore brace for another 6 weeks. Starting riding after that against drs orders. Was signed back in eventing after 6 months.

 

[Amaretto]

[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, there must be varying degrees of compression fracture. I fractured one verterbra but didn't realise for 3 weeks (pain from broken ribs worse than back). Had it x-rayed 4 weeks after the initial injury and was told that since I had been riding since the day after the accident, I may as well carry on as usual. Can't remember which vertebra it was exactly, somewhere between shoulder blades. It was a stable fracture though and suspect yours may not be, given the treatment you are receiving. Hope you recover soon.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you're right (I have read up on this subject whilst at home bored - but no real insight into the impact on riding horses again - if anyone can find anything please post)! There are varying degrees.

Mine is a lower back injury and is stable, but the vertebrae is compressed or crushed. There is no way I could have carried on as normal immediately after the injury. My legs were like jelly and movement made me physically sick with pain. I have also cracked ribs and my sternum (non-horsey related) prior to this and the pain was nowhere near what I felt in this scenario.

Seems the average consensus from the posts on here is that it's a long lay off for a lower back compression fracture...
:-(

 

[alsxx]

Not personally but when i worked in MRI we had one of the consultants down for a scan...she'd fallen off and landed on her bum, 6 months later of constant pain she finally had it checked out and she had a compression fracture of one the lumbar vertebrae that had turned into a right old mess...

So I'd take it easy as you dont want to set yourself back!!!

 

[Amaretto]

[ QUOTE ]
Not personally but when i worked in MRI we had one of the consultants down for a scan...she'd fallen off and landed on her bum, 6 months later of constant pain she finally had it checked out and she had a compression fracture of one the lumbar vertebrae that had turned into a right old mess...

So I'd take it easy as you dont want to set yourself back!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I will do, going to do as I am told as like you say, I don't want to set myself back.

Was she riding until she found out she had the fracture?

 

[alsxx]

Just seen this....if irc yes she had still been riding!! Crazy woman!!!

 

[Seahorse]

A woman at my yard got bucked off her horse on saturday, and she has a compression fracture of her spine at L2, she is at home on painkillers but will probably never ride again.

 

[Halfpass]

I fractured C6 and C7 in Jan 2003. Was told I'd probably never walk again let alone ride. I was back on a horse in May 2003!!! It still gives me problems in the cold weather and when its wet and my lower back is now bad due to my change in posture but it could have been much worse.