Spinal fracture 6 months on

[Miggy99]

I posted at the end of last year about my fall from my horse resulting in spinal surgery to fix my fractured L1 vertebrae. I’m pleased to say I didn’t sell my boy, he is still very much loved and I see him for kisses and treats every single day I had to give up my job as a dog groomer, but have started a new job last month after 5 months off work, and am loving it!

But I’m still nowhere near getting back on my boy. I’m having constant muscle pain all across my lower back, I can’t always walk my dogs every day and am in agony when I get into bed or roll over during the night. I’ve got a GP appointment on Tuesday because I feel like this pain isn’t normal at this stage, and my physiotherapist wants more imaging done because he’s at a loss how to treat me!

Anyone else had a spinal fracture that was still suffering 6 months on? Having got over the initial horrific depression of the injury by moving my horse to a friendlier yard, I feel like I’m struggling again with the daily pain

I’ve attached a couple of photos of my gorgeous boy just because I love him so much.

 

[Gloi]

I hope things improve for you soon and you get to enjoy your lovely boy again.

 

[Clodagh]

I fractured my C5 many years ago in a car accident. It caused a lot of pain for a year, (roughly) and is still prone to the miseries if it sits in a draft or similar 34 years on. Generally now it’s fine but it certainly took a very long time to stop being a bother.
I know C5 not nearly as bad as yours.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I chipped my L3 last March. I still had a lot of pain 6 months in and it was a real low point when you think shit, im going to have to live with this. I was struggling with energy levels as well and felt dreadful. I think it was 9 months before I really started to build strength back. 15 months in, I'm still on painkillers but occasionally forget to take one so it must be improving! My movement is almost normal now.
Hang in there, keep doing the exercises.

 

[Miggy99]

I’m taking occasional paracetamol and ibuprofen with a tramadol or oxycodone in the evening if I need it. I’m just so frustrated that I can walk far without pain around my core, my physio exercises are so basic but also so hard. My brain just thinks I can do so much more than I can which is just so hard!

 

[I'm Dun]

I burst L1 and ended up in a hell of a state. There was so much damage done, but mainly what did for me is my entire spine shifted with the force of the impact and when I stood it compressed all the nerves. It was absolutely horrific, nothing helped, I got fatter and fatter as I was scared to move as the pain was so bad. I collapsed on the floor of a hospital in Rugby in hysterics after my last ditch visit to a spinal surgeon ended in him telling me to go vegan as I'd live longer, but no, he wouldn't be doing anything for my back. I think that was 3yrs after the accident. The NHS were awful. They ignored requests from a specialist physio I saw, saying I needed a referral, and I started looking at wheelchairs as I couldn't walk 50yds without pain and used to hit the deck if I pushed through it and carried on. I was a prisoner inside my own body. I feel shaky and sick just writing this down.

I did a lot of things, osteo, podiatrist, sports therapy massage fortnightly for months on end. I can still remember being shocked and stunned the first time I walked a mile. Weirdly today I was looking at my steps for the last couple of weeks. I average 7miles a day now, consistently. I walk my dogs 5 miles, come home and do stuff, I don't collapse into bed with pain and exhaustion. It took literal blood, sweat and tears and taking a cocktail of drugs that will shorten my life. I don't care. I would rather live one day as I am than a 100years how I was. I do have a load of other stuff going on, so am a very extreme example. But the back issues from the fracture are now resolved. I get an ache there sometimes but that part of my back is generally ok now.

I don't think an osteo will treat you so soon, but Id be finding a good sports therapist and having a podiatrist check your feet. I had to wear huge sole thingies for ages and we gradually slimmed them down. I've not worn anything for a couple of years now. I still see a sports therapist every couple of months, I go in hurting and feeling wrong and come out feeling good again.

I didn't want to do a huge post all me, me, me, and I have anyway, but I hope it helps you see there's things that can be done, but it might not come from the NHS, and while physios have their place, I think you'd find sports therapy hugely benefical.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I’m taking occasional paracetamol and ibuprofen with a tramadol or oxycodone in the evening if I need it. I’m just so frustrated that I can walk far without pain around my core, my physio exercises are so basic but also so hard. My brain just thinks I can do so much more than I can which is just so hard!

Give it time, you will get there. It is so frustrating when your used to being active. I remember flaking out each evening with tiredness from the pain. Still do too some extent but it's a few hours later and after doing more.

 

[Trouper]

In my 60's I elected to have L5/S1 fused because the compression was making the nerve pain unbearable. Having heard too many tales of NHS spinal surgeries not working out well I elected to have it done privately by someone highly recommended. It went very well but my physio did say that ops like this do take up to a year to come good. I had very few problems but did not push it and followed advice carefully. After a year I returned to riding after a 30+ year break!!

What I am saying is that you need to find the best people you can (or afford) to help you because you only get one chance at re-hab. I might even be thinking of consulting a spinal consultant privately to get a second opinion on whether your symptoms are normal at this stage. After that agree with @I'm Dun - lots of hard work and specialist help will get you there.

 

[Lady Jane]

@Trouper is giving good advice. If your physio is concerned I would pay privately for a top private consult and imaging to check what's going on but 'the end of last year' is still early days. You don't say how you were 'fixed' and if they think you have nerve or spinal cord damage? All of this affects how long ot takes to heal. I got diagnosed with spondylolisthesis (my vertebra had slipped and was compressing the spinal cord) Nov 23 and had c3/4/5/6 fused mid Dec 23 to prevent paralysis. The spondylolisthesis had apparently been developing over the last 4-5 years. My problem now mainly is weakness/numbness worst in right leg but I have been told it can continue to heal for up to 12 months-and will take that long for the fusion to be solid. Please let us know how you get on with the GP

 

[mustardsmum]

Hang in there! It takes along time to heal - the bones heal first but there is so much more that takes longer to heal and tendons, muscles and neves take a lot longer to come good. I think I’ve prob bored people about my fractures either side of my sacrum. I did not have surgery but it took a 9 months to a year to get going. I couldn’t drive, sit or work for much if 6 months and riding was def a no go. One thing I found good was hydrotherapy, and I had a sports therapist (in the days when the NHS offered this via your local gym). I went three times a week and had access to the hospital physio gym twice a week. You will get there, but maybe you need to get a MRI or CT scan to check everything. Then push on with the physio, ask your Dr if they still do the sports therapy sessions at your local gym (the NHS paid for mine, I just had to agree to go three times a week) I would add, the gym is most def not my natural environment but I did end up very fit and I swear it got me back on my feet. I did it for three months on the sport recovery and then I kept myself going there for another year. And take pain relief and sleep with a pillow between your legs. I also found rubbing Biofreeze across my back just before I went to bed really helped. Hope you start to feel better soon.

 

[Annagain]

I have every sympathy. I haven't fractured my back but had a prolapsed disc pushing on the sciatic nerve last year and I've never felt pain like it so I have an idea of the sort of pain you're in. It took 10 months for things to settle down with me. I really hope your pain dies down soon.

 

[Orangehorse]

If it is muscle pain rather than bone you might try Bowen Therapy. It's not physiotherapy, but many sports people go to the one I use. They treat muscle and soft tissue.

It has helped tremendously with my arthritic knee.

 

[Miggy99]

Thanks all. I’m not in a position to pay for private consults etc unfortunately. My surgical fix was road and screws T12-L2 with no spinal cord or nerve complications. The muscular pain seems to be getting worse which is what is frustrating me. I thought I was almost ready to have the go ahead to start trying to ride again, but the physio had totally ruled it out based on my total lack of any core strength

 

[Fastasflames]

you poor thing, what an awful thing you have been through.

just to give you hope - as others have said the tendons and muscles can take longer to heal. I completely severed my Achilles and had surgery to graft and repair it. I would say that 2 years later it is STILL getting stronger and healing. I couldnt drive or ride for nearly a year. Time drags so slowly when you are waiting to recover but it will happen, give it time.

 

[Miggy99]

you poor thing, what an awful thing you have been through.

just to give you hope - as others have said the tendons and muscles can take longer to heal. I completely severed my Achilles and had surgery to graft and repair it. I would say that 2 years later it is STILL getting stronger and healing. I couldnt drive or ride for nearly a year. Time drags so slowly when you are waiting to recover but it will happen, give it time.

Thankyou. My main concern is that the pain seems to have got worse, which I didn’t expect and my physio is confused by it too and my total lack of progress in building back my strength. I could accept the pain and long recovery ahead of me (as much as a total change of life can be accepted) when the pain was constant initially, but I had so long without the constant aching that I felt like real progress was happening and now it feels like it was all someone’s idea of a joke, let’s make her think she’s getting better then set her back again

 

[Fastasflames]

Thankyou. My main concern is that the pain seems to have got worse, which I didn’t expect and my physio is confused by it too and my total lack of progress in building back my strength. I could accept the pain and long recovery ahead of me (as much as a total change of life can be accepted) when the pain was constant initially, but I had so long without the constant aching that I felt like real progress was happening and now it feels like it was all someone’s idea of a joke, let’s make her think she’s getting better then set her back again

i would insist on a new mri to see whats going on, really feel for you. I ended up paying for one privately which led to surgery months after the accident. Im so glad I pushed on and did, otherwise i may have been left very impaired.

 

[Miggy99]

i would insist on a new mri to see whats going on, really feel for you. I ended up paying for one privately which led to surgery months after the accident. Im so glad I pushed on and did, otherwise i may have been left very impaired.

It does feel like something could have been missed initially. I was in A&E for over 3 hours before they xrayed and that was only because they made me sit up and when they checked my spine I told them something didn’t feel right. They were wanting to get me out so someone else could have the bed. So the xray was just lumbar region and the ct I had after was just to confirm how bad the fracture was. So who know what else was going on!

 

[I'm Dun]

It does feel like something could have been missed initially. I was in A&E for over 3 hours before they xrayed and that was only because they made me sit up and when they checked my spine I told them something didn’t feel right. They were wanting to get me out so someone else could have the bed. So the xray was just lumbar region and the ct I had after was just to confirm how bad the fracture was. So who know what else was going on!

They sent 2 porters in to try and lift me up so they could send me home. Its only because I went absolutely berserk that I'm not in a wheelchair as my break was unstable. Then they CT scanned me and all hell let loose...

I would do whatever you can to get to a sports therapist. The pain is more than likely muscular or caused by muscles pulling on your injury/pressing on your nerves. You need someone who really knows what they are doing to loosen the right things. You don't need exercises or anything like that at this stage, its not helping because it cant. I think its pretty common to recover well seemingly then have a set back like this.

Its not usually horrifically expensive. In Northampton mine cost £35, oxford, where everything is stupidly expensive I pay £50

 

[I'm Dun]

Were you in a back brace? I was for 5 months so when it came off my core was gone. It was like jelly! The metal holds everything together so your muscles atropty, then it comes off and the wrong muscles can kick in to try and stabilise you.

 

[Miggy99]

They sent 2 porters in to try and lift me up so they could send me home. Its only because I went absolutely berserk that I'm not in a wheelchair as my break was unstable. Then they CT scanned me and all hell let loose...

I would do whatever you can to get to a sports therapist. The pain is more than likely muscular or caused by muscles pulling on your injury/pressing on your nerves. You need someone who really knows what they are doing to loosen the right things. You don't need exercises or anything like that at this stage, its not helping because it cant. I think its pretty common to recover well seemingly then have a set back like this.

Its not usually horrifically expensive. In Northampton mine cost £35, oxford, where everything is stupidly expensive I pay £50

Yes mine was unstable too. The girls at the yard were trying to lift me up off the ground initially, despite me screaming in pain, then in a&e after 3 hours I used the bed rails to pull myself up because I needed a wee and was told I had to sit up to use the commode even though I asked for a bed pan. The minute I told them my back felt like an electric shock being touched they had me lying flat, bed pan and not allowed to move while I was rushed for an X-ray I’m going to try to push for an mri to see what’s going on then we’ll know what we’re dealing with

 

[Miggy99]

Were you in a back brace? I was for 5 months so when it came off my core was gone. It was like jelly! The metal holds everything together so your muscles atropty, then it comes off and the wrong muscles can kick in to try and stabilise you.

No, I had a surgical fix 3 days after the fall so although I was fitted for a brace beforehand I never used it. I’ve lost 1.5 inches in height and thought that was the reason I couldn’t catch my breath to start with but now I’m not so sure

 

[Fastasflames]

-google private mri scans.
-google orthopaedic spinal specialist
the scan should be under £500 if I remember rightly and you can have it emailed to any private specialist of your choice. If you dont have insurance, you can still pay for the scan and have the results sent to you personally, which you can then take to an nhs appointment. Good luck xx

 

[Ittookawhile]

I’m many years on from breaking T11 and T12 and rupturing the ligaments in my lumbar spine. The first year was really hard and I had to change my job. Now I am generally pain free with a few notable exceptions, long drives will always make me uncomfortable as does being on my feet for extended periods of time. I can now tell the change in the weather from the feeling in my bones! And very long rides cause my back to seize up for a short while.

It does get better, but it does take time. And I’m pretty certain mine will never be completely perfect now but it’s generally manageable!

 

[suebou]

Ten years since I had a spinal fusion, it’s been a long haul but good physio, osteopath work, Pilates and sheer bloody minded ness means it’s as good as it’s going to get I think. I walk with poles which helps a lot, adapted getting on and off the horses, take painkillers daily, etc etc. on a scale of ten, it’s probably a 2 on a usual basis with spikes of 6 ish….. mostly muscular and nerve trouble now. The spine is stable due to the titanium in it!

 

[I'm Dun]

No, I had a surgical fix 3 days after the fall so although I was fitted for a brace beforehand I never used it. I’ve lost 1.5 inches in height and thought that was the reason I couldn’t catch my breath to start with but now I’m not so sure

I lost an inch which is weird, as I never thought of myself as short, but I definitely am now! Make sure they pull bloods and check B12, vitamin D, iron etc. After surgery and everything you've been through anything could be out of whack and if it is it will make pain etc much worse. When my ferritin is low I get really breathless.

 

[Miggy99]

I lost an inch which is weird, as I never thought of myself as short, but I definitely am now! Make sure they pull bloods and check B12, vitamin D, iron etc. After surgery and everything you've been through anything could be out of whack and if it is it will make pain etc much worse. When my ferritin is low I get really breathless.

Thankyou that’s really helpful. I was 5’5.5” before which was a lovely height, now I feel so much shorter! I’m going to ask about the possibility of an early dead scan too as osteoporosis runs down my mum’s side of the family. Hopefully the fracture was just because of the impact on the concrete-like school surface, but you never know!

 

[Miggy99]

So the GP has discussed my case with the rest of the doctors and requested a referral to the local spinal interface team although he’s not sure they’ll see me u til the hospital discharges me. He’s also requested I get a 2nd opinion from another physiotherapist and a letter to support referral. He’s going to request an mri but thinks it may be rejected so soon after surgery. And he’s written to the hospital to request I’m seen asap

 

[Pippity]

I shattered my L1 around the same time you fractured your spine. Mine couldn't be treated surgically so I just lay flat on my back for six weeks while it healed.

I've been off the morphine for a couple of months, and only pop a paracetamol maybe once a week, if I'm spending a lot of time sitting down.

I've ridden a couple of times since then, including a brief sit on my own horse.

Basically, I seem to have been a hell of a lot luckier than you in terms of long-term healing, although I think you were up and about quicker than me. My actual bones aren't perfectly healed (there's a lump that means I constantly feel like someone's poking me in the back) but all my pain is muscle stiffness.

I've got my fingers crossed for you that you're able to get the necessary treatment.

 

[Miggy99]

I shattered my L1 around the same time you fractured your spine. Mine couldn't be treated surgically so I just lay flat on my back for six weeks while it healed.

I've been off the morphine for a couple of months, and only pop a paracetamol maybe once a week, if I'm spending a lot of time sitting down.

I've ridden a couple of times since then, including a brief sit on my own horse.

Basically, I seem to have been a hell of a lot luckier than you in terms of long-term healing, although I think you were up and about quicker than me. My actual bones aren't perfectly healed (there's a lump that means I constantly feel like someone's poking me in the back) but all my pain is muscle stiffness.

I've got my fingers crossed for you that you're able to get the necessary treatment.

I was wondering how you were getting on, I’m so glad you’re doing well! Yes I was up and about, albeit very slowly 4 days after the fracture! I’m taking meloxicam with paracetamol now instead of ibuprofen with it and that’s helping, so hoping I don’t need to go onto the heavy duty neuro drugs the gp spoke about!!

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I wonder if you ve been doing too much physio…my nurse friends tell me the bones don’t properly harden til after 12 weeks..my experience was more like pippity s in fact I was never referred to a physio..just told to get on with things.