Fractured vertebrae how was your recovery?

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cowpatch

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Hi, im 3 weeks in to fracturing my L3 vertebrae.I just seen the consultant and my vertebrae has continued to collapse since been discharged from hospital even tho I listened to all the nurses advice, but the consultant has just given me different advice I'm really down about it all now, I've not been to see my horse in 3 weeks, I have listened at all the advice and his has been wrong and I think it's going to have an effect on my recovery time. Just wondering if any of you guys have had the same experience and what advice you were given and how you handled been house bound and not aloud down the yard. Thanks
 
I am sorry to hear this. My friend slipped off her new loan pony recently and fractured her L12 on both sides. She is currently in a brace and driving her husband mad.

I hope that you get things sorted soon. Must be very upsetting and frustrating for you.
 
It's really starting to get me down. And to top it off my 16.2hh ISH mare bucked me off which is out of character for her so I had her in the vets and she now needs a operation on her back to solve that next week. My gf is looking after her atm but I think 2 weeks of box rest is going to wear her down as she's looking after her horse aswell. Just feel usless and staying in is driving me mad!! Sorry about the rant. How long did it take for mate to recover and get back into the saddle?
 
Oh lord, that's rotten luck. My friend only did it about 2 weeks ago, she has to wear brace for 6 weeks so don't know how long it is going to take. You're allowed to rant, it's understandable after what you're going through.

Many years ago my best friend had a major back operation as a result of scoliosis. She had 3 vertebrae removed and metal rods and screws inserted. She wore a cast for a number of months but did get back in the saddle again.

Try and stay postitive if you can. Are you in a brace/cast at all?
 
So sorry to hear about your situation. I can't be much help but can I just say well done for looking into your mare's problem and sorting her out while you also have yourself to worry about!
 
I've fractured L1-L4 in one go in the past. Recovery was very slow and i had a lot of private treatment to speed things up.

I was back on in 10months. 8months sooner than I probably should have but i did keep up the treatment for a further 3 years. I suffer badly to this day though but i muddle on!
 
I completely anhihlated my L1 vertebra (it was in five separate pieces) and broke the one above and below into two pieces each and smashed up my tail bone in 2002. I was in hospital for four weeks not allowed to move at all, in a back brace for six months and back on a very quiet and trustworthy horse for a very slow walk round on a lead rein (with the brace on) about 3 weeks after I came out of hospital. My mare was very young and was just broken in at the time, I was in the middle of a saddle fitting and a peacock jumped over the school fence and landed on the poor horses backside. Just a freak one off accident, totally not the horses fault. I was back on her as soon as the brace came off but because she was just broken at the time it took a long time for us to get to a stage where we were both comfortable to get on with it. We competed in and won our first ridden showing class 14 months after the accident. My brace was supposed to hyper flex me backwards to try to repair/stop any further damage and reduce the crushing to the front of my L1 vertebra. It didn't and to this day I have a flat front to that vertebra. I won't lie, I do suffer back pain but it's not enought to stop me riding (and driving) my horse still and I have to make sure I keep my weight down as if I go above 10.5 stone I really start to suffer. Swimming and yoga and anything that strengthens my back muscles helps and it is not the bony injury that causes any issue it is the cramping and spasm of the muscles either side of the injury that cause the pain. I found taking my mare out for long walks in hand helped us both while I was waiting to be able to get back on. I've also had a few falls in the 12 years since and because of my tendency to always land on my backside I find that sitting down is somewhat painful for about 4 weeks afterwards because the tailbone never went back to it's original form so if I crash land on it it re-inflames the injury site. A rubber ring on my office chair allows me to continue working after such crashes and provides my work colleagues with some level of amusement! I wish you well with your recovery and please don't give up, it will improve but it takes time.
 
Oh Rotten luck. Hope you are comfortable.

I had a compression fracture of my T7 a couple of years ago. I was lucky, mine was a thoracic vertebrae so stabilized by rib cage etc and other than being squished it was all in one piece. I was in hospital for 4 days while the sorted a brace/corset and then took it very easy for about 3 weeks. I did move around but spent a lot of time lying down (mainly as I didn't have to wear the brace from hell if I was horizontal!).

Brace came off after 10 or 12 weeks and I was back riding 4 months after I came off (straight after the fist consultation where I wasn't categorically told NOT to ride, although that may have been an error of omittance rather than permission to ride!). It was uncomfortable if I did too much, to start with I could only manage about 15 minute of riding before it really started to hurt, but now (just under 2 and a half years since I did it) I can't tell which are broken back aches and which are getting old aches!

Time will pass and you will get back on, until then try and enjoy the down time. Don't feel guilty about others helping you, I am sure you would do the same in their position. Happy healing x
 
I suffered a wedge fracture of T5 .
I lay on my back for 12weeks getting up only to wash go to the loo and eat .
I wore no brace because I was riding a lot at the time and was very very heavily muscled in the back and the consultant felt I would manage well without .
I was told the more you lie flat the better you will heal ,its done very well I need to watch my posture and get a regular massage and physio apart from that I don't think of it at all .
 
I understand your frustration. I worked with someone who fractured their back in the lumbar area in 4 places, and the various doctors and specialists all gave conflicting advice. In fact the final break was not even "found" until several months in, and then only because the current "treatment" was making her worse!
She did try riding after about 4 months, but I guess it was just so she could say that she had, as she was nowhere near ready.
After a year I gave her lessons, and she was OK. Not perfect, but OK. Back to a good level of riding and jumping, and even riding out for up to 3 hrs at a time.
At times in that year it seemed that she would never be OK again, but time is a great healer. I know that she will have "problems" in the future, but for now things are OK, and the more she does, the better it seems.
Good luck.
 
Poor you, it's completely rotten when the doctor tells you there is a break. I fractured my C6-C7 facet joint in November, luckily a stable fracture. I was in a hard neck brace for 10 weeks and that came off on Thursday last week.

I'm hoping to get back in the saddle at the weekend.

My advice on the boredom...?? Lots and lots of TV box sets (my work sent me one instead of chocs and flowers)! Magazines, books and take the chance to learn something (be it horse management or french!) Oh and I also got slightly addicted to HHO! Also I organised a lot of work to be done to the house!

On the issue of consultants advice, if you aren't happy you can always ask for a second opinion. I've found that with spinal cases hospitals generally have a specialist centre where they refer all of their cases to. In my case this was Kings College in London. Make sure that the consultant who is ultimately making decisions about your treatment is in one of these specialist centres.

Good luck with everything, I feel for you.
 
WOW, thanks for the response everyone :) I am in the brace 24 hours a day now because of the wrong advice when in was discharged has resulted in the further collapse, Im trying to stay flat as I can but it is just so boring, im pretty lucky tho that I only just started a new job at the beginning of December and they have said I can just work from my bed to keep the pounds coming in, well the horses need to be kept in hayledge now don't they lol. By you replies and recovery times, im going to struggle to get to the shows this summer might just be ready for cubbing in September which sucks!!! Ive managed to get my mare in for an operation tomorrow on her back, she has a mild form of kissing spine and is having a standing key hole surgery to release the pressure in her back, Vet has said she could be in full work within 6 weeks, ive ask the vet for the same opp as the mares recovery is going to a lot faster than mine!! Just wondering is there any exercises I can be doing lying down to build up my back or would you leave it? Also in regards to having some private work done, what work did you have done and was it worth it? did it speed up the recovery? Thanks again guyes, will try to reply fast next time, I had my notifications switched off but now there one. Thanks
 
Hi - sorry to hear about your fracture! I broke my femur six months ago in a really nasty accident riding (well, falling off and I think, hitting a rock). Couldn't see my horse for 7 weeks or so - wasn't allowed to weight bear for all that time. I just thanked my lucky stars I wasn't killed. It happened in July, so horses were out, and yard owner checked on my horse daily. I spent all my time doing cross stitch and embroidery and also playing the piano, but had to have pretty much 24 hour care. Couldn't shower for nearly 4 weeks as couldn't get in the shower which is over the bath. Slowly but surely getting there now though and have been mucking out since end of october. I'm still limping but hoping to get back in the saddle in the next couple of months. I put my total trust in the doctors and my physiotherapist is great and I'm diligent with the exercises. Good luck. Keep thinking positive - it makes such a difference to you both emotionally and physically.
 
cowpatch said:
WOW, thanks for the response everyone :) I am in the brace 24 hours a day now because of the wrong advice when in was discharged has resulted in the further collapse, Im trying to stay flat as I can but it is just so boring, im pretty lucky tho that I only just started a new job at the beginning of December and they have said I can just work from my bed to keep the pounds coming in, well the horses need to be kept in hayledge now don't they lol. By you replies and recovery times, im going to struggle to get to the shows this summer might just be ready for cubbing in September which sucks!!! Ive managed to get my mare in for an operation tomorrow on her back, she has a mild form of kissing spine and is having a standing key hole surgery to release the pressure in her back, Vet has said she could be in full work within 6 weeks, ive ask the vet for the same opp as the mares recovery is going to a lot faster than mine!! Just wondering is there any exercises I can be doing lying down to build up my back or would you leave it? Also in regards to having some private work done, what work did you have done and was it worth it? did it speed up the recovery? Thanks again guyes, will try to reply fast next time, I had my notifications switched off but now there one. Thanks
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I did have exercises but would not like to advise you .
I would get a private physio to call at the house .
It was very boring at first I was flat flat as in looking at the ceiling very hard to read impossible to watch telly but after three weeks I was allowed to be slightly sitting up it was so much better after that .
I could read see the telly etc .
Time will pass every day is a day meaner recovery .
 
I came off at a talus and fractured L1,2 and 3. I was put in a plaster cast and sent home after 10 days in hospital (Italian hospital :( ) I had the plaster cast on for 3 months and then went for physio in the local swimming pool 4 times a week for 2 months. I was back in the saddle almost immediately once the cast was removed and haven't had problems at all. Hope you recover quickly :)
 
this is a very very stupid question, but im going to ask it anyway....

To all the people that have replied with fractured vertebrae; is it possible to have fractured something in the spine and be able to walk about but be in alot of pain? Or have you all been in terrible pain and rushed off to hospital?

I ask for a genuine reason. I was stamped on 7months ago, and have just found out my foot is fractured.(i just kept putting up with the pain, thinking it would get better) If i was to rate the pain id say its a 4/10.

I fell off a pony i was breaking in a few years ago many many times, and one particular time very badly hurt myself. Ever since iv had a very bad back. The pain would be about 8/10. I've been having regular treatment by the form of a oestiopath, but it only helps for a few weeks then im back in pain. With my foot hurting less im beginning to wonder whats wrong with my back.

Im off to the Docs AGAIN tonight about this, but i can guess the outcome... not interested!

Sorry to hi-jack the thread abit.
 
Waffles said:
When you go to the docs, ask to be referred for an xray.
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Thanks, Im going to try this tonight when i go. Last time i went they said it could be a virus!!! After i'd told them the pony had thrown me from one end of the school to the other...so as you can imagine, i dont have much faith in my docs.
 
Suduko, tapestry, reading, DVD box sets... unless told otherwise but someone in the medical profession I'd stick to those sort of activities to start with! Once I was mobile, I asked about physio and was told to simply to go swimming and start easing myself back into Pilates. As I said, mine was stable so I was probably given more leeway. Really don't do anything without talking to someone first!

Billy, I would imagine it is possible. I know after my crash I was convinced I'd broken my shoulder not my back! Pain wise - I hurt all over (18h horse landed on me!) but was only on paracetamol after the first night and not taking any regular pain meds after the first week. Not that it didn't hurt, but not badly enough to warrant steady dosing. I'd second Waffles suggestion of seeing if you can get yourself xrayed.

ETA - I got up and walked to the house to get some help. I knew I'd seriously hurt myself, but my main difficulty was breathing from being winded. Think if my shoulder hadn't knacked as much as it did I probably wouldn't have ended up in hospital - back pain really was the least of it.
 
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Billy the kid said:
Thanks, Im going to try this tonight when i go. Last time i went they said it could be a virus!!! After i'd told them the pony had thrown me from one end of the school to the other...so as you can imagine, i dont have much faith in my docs.
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I didn't either till they saved my life fixing my leg :)
 
Eggshells said:
Suduko, tapestry, reading, DVD box sets... unless told otherwise but someone in the medical profession I'd stick to those sort of activities to start with! Once I was mobile, I asked about physio and was told to simply to go swimming and start easing myself back into Pilates. As I said, mine was stable so I was probably given more leeway. Really don't do anything without talking to someone first!

Billy, I would imagine it is possible. I know after my crash I was convinced I'd broken my shoulder not my back and it was my shoulder that gave me the most gyp despite being xrayed and shown to be fine! Pain wise - I hurt all over (18h horse landed on me!) but was only on paracetamol after the first night and not taking any regular pain meds after the first week. Not that it didn't hurt, but not badly enough to warrant steady dosing. I'd second Waffles suggestion of seeing if you can get yourself xrayed.
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Thank you for your reply.

I shall be getting my stern face/ voice on tonight then and asking for the referral. I take strong co-codamol most days to deal with it, its gets much worse at work (sitting down all day) and gets better when walking about. I wouldnt consider myself a whimp so best get it checked with an xray.

Maybe if they wont refer me i could just rock up at A&E crying saying i've just fallen off my horse and my back hurts??;)
 
cowpatch said:
Hi, im 3 weeks in to fracturing my L3 vertebrae.I just seen the consultant and my vertebrae has continued to collapse since been discharged from hospital even tho I listened to all the nurses advice, but the consultant has just given me different advice I'm really down about it all now, I've not been to see my horse in 3 weeks, I have listened at all the advice and his has been wrong and I think it's going to have an effect on my recovery time. Just wondering if any of you guys have had the same experience and what advice you were given and how you handled been house bound and not aloud down the yard. Thanks
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My avatar is my back, after a burst fracture . Was in hospital for three months then a further 5 weeks for intensive physio and will be allowed back in the saddle next month, 8 months after the accident. The only advice I could give would be to stay positive, I know it's hard but I believe your outlook has an impact on your recovery. Try not to have dark days, could someone take you to yard? Even just to feed horse a carrot , go for a cuddle. Can you use a wheelchair if someone was to push you?
What is going to happen about the vertabrae? Will you require any further ops to stabilise?
My exercises concentrated mostly on core building, this is probably because of my paraplegia. Exercises that could be done lying down, just gently tensing the muscles in your stomach and at the top of leg/groin area.
As for filling your time, that's the tricky part. Having your day to day routine and structure whipped away from you can turn your head upside down! Depending on meds you take/pain levels, it's difficult to concentrate at times, so something like reading can be a struggle. I've recently found heartlands on netflix, it's a light hearted horsey show, I have it on, not that I'm always watching it, but it's a distraction.
Can you chat to your consultant? Mine is always at the end of the phone if I need advice? Try and get some answers, rough timescales as to your recovery , next steps, once you have that, you have something to aim for....
I wish you a speedy recovery.
 
So sorry. I think it's probably not good to put too much stock in comparing experiences because each break is different, as well as each person.

For me, I broke my L1 fifteen years ago but it was a very stable fracture, healed within 4 months and has never bothered me since.

I would say listen to your doc, get a second opinion if possible, and do any rehab they order but you are a horse person so that probably means you will be riding long before they think it wise! Good luck to you.
 
I didn't have any exercises to do when my brace came off, I'm just now trying to build my fitness back up. You'll find yourself surprisingly tired doing simple things for the first few weeks after you get the all clear, so you will have to build yourself up again.

Billy - definitely get an Xray or a CT scan. If you do have a fracture you need to know about it as it could cause you a serious injury later in life, especially if you have another fall or impact. I walked into A&E with a very stiff (but not badly painful) neck and concussion. I wasn't expecting a broken neck diagnosis!

There is light at the end of the tunnel, I rode for the first time on Friday.... and Sat and Sunday!!
 
im so sorry to hear this. i have had a bad fracture in my L2. how did u fall? did u fall backward and landed on ur bum? are u still wearing the hyper-extension frame?
 
Some horrible injuries here - ouch! Remind me why we do this?!?

I fractured T12 couple of years ago but didn't realise I'd done it at the time. Came to light after a recent fall where I hurt my neck so hospital took every precaution and x rayed back - old fracture came to light. Original injury from jumping hedge, I thought there was drop the other side, there wasn't, leant back with spine flexed and impact of landing sent shock wave up my spine - knocked the wind out of me. Managed to complete course and got horse home, got in to bed ... couldn't get up for 4 days, excruciating! I do remember being sick with the pain at the time but stupidly didn't go to hospital. Think because I hadn't had a fall didn't think it could be anything too serious and it just hurt too much to get up frankly! Took loads of anti inflammatory (diclofenac was effective) pain relief for a few weeks and was back team chasing 2 weeks later :eek: The thought now horrifies me as doesn't bear thinking about the damage I could have done if I'd had a fall. Amazing what the body can cope with .... not that I'd recommend that particular course of treatment!

I feel for you OP. Must be hugely frustrating. I think you can only give it time. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery and hope your mare is ok too. Never rains but it pours - poor you :(
 
Billy the kid said:
this is a very very stupid question, but im going to ask it anyway....

To all the people that have replied with fractured vertebrae; is it possible to have fractured something in the spine and be able to walk about but be in alot of pain? Or have you all been in terrible pain and rushed off to hospital?

I ask for a genuine reason. I was stamped on 7months ago, and have just found out my foot is fractured.(i just kept putting up with the pain, thinking it would get better) If i was to rate the pain id say its a 4/10.

I fell off a pony i was breaking in a few years ago many many times, and one particular time very badly hurt myself. Ever since iv had a very bad back. The pain would be about 8/10. I've been having regular treatment by the form of a oestiopath, but it only helps for a few weeks then im back in pain. With my foot hurting less im beginning to wonder whats wrong with my back.

Im off to the Docs AGAIN tonight about this, but i can guess the outcome... not interested!

Sorry to hi-jack the thread abit.
Click to expand...

Yes , you can walk in pain with a fractured vertebra I could and did .
 
Billy the kid said:
this is a very very stupid question, but im going to ask it anyway....

To all the people that have replied with fractured vertebrae; is it possible to have fractured something in the spine and be able to walk about but be in alot of pain? Or have you all been in terrible pain and rushed off to hospital?

I ask for a genuine reason. I was stamped on 7months ago, and have just found out my foot is fractured.(i just kept putting up with the pain, thinking it would get better) If i was to rate the pain id say its a 4/10.

.
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My daughter fell off from standstill, landed on her bum in an arena. Got up, and complained of a sore back, within an hour she said it felt a bit better. after a few days she was still complaining, so we went to the doctors, got sent for an xray. Couldn't believe it when they told us she had fractured her T12. No riding/exercise etc and taking it easy for 12 weeks, then she was ok to get back to normal. Been ok since.


Hope you feel better soon OP
 
I burst L1 September 2012. I'm still not recovered and doubt I ever will be. I was back on in Jan 2013 and rode maybe 10 times. It hurt and I really struggled gettting off :( In the end reality bit and I stopped. I havent really ridden since until last Saturday. I joined in a riding school lesson, very basic stuff and then couldnt walk on Sunday morning due to my back pain.

I'm giving serious thought to selling up and not riding again. I'm damaged, its hurts and I dont think any of it is worth another injury which might see me paralysed :( But then again, what do you do when your entire life is horses?

All I will say is the difference between 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months are unbelievable, so give it time
 
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