It finally happened to me

temporarily_locked
Edited Date/Time 4/23/2020 10:29am
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath. I always thought those people were being babies until last Friday. I had tunnel vision, saw bright lights and all around thought I was about to die.

Turns out I compression fractured my T11 vertebrae. It’s about a cm shorter on one side then it used to be. Urgent care doctor says 6 weeks for the bone to heal. Still trying to get in with a specialist. Anyone else broken one? Is this going to nag me permanently? I’m 30 and hoping to avoid surgery.
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ktm300xcw2018
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ktm300xcw2018 1/20/2020 5:40pm
1/20/2020 5:40pm
I compression fractured C1, C2 and T6 at the end of September 2019. I also fractured my right shoulder socket and right shoulder blade and topped it all off with a gnarly concussion. It was rough for the first few weeks, just getting up and down from bed or the couch. 4 months later im back to 100%. I didnt have surgery, just took it easy. Tons of PT on the shoulder but the spine healed up on its own.
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agn5009
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agn5009 1/20/2020 5:51pm
1/20/2020 5:51pm
I've never fractured my vertebrae but I've had the wind knocked out of me plenty. Every time I've done it I think to myself that this is it. I'm dying. Then a few minutes later you're good to go. Good luck on the recovery. Listen to the professionals and take it easy til you're 100%.
13
Moto Obsessed 1/20/2020 5:53pm
1/20/2020 5:53pm
Wow.... guess everyone else wasn't faking it, or being babies, huh?? Doctors orders of humble pie bi-daily until pain subsides. Heal up quick dude.
5
Underground 1/20/2020 6:18pm
1/20/2020 6:18pm
Did mine when I was 14, spent a week flat out on the mattress in living room on the floor. Had my skateboard beside the mattress for when I needed to go to nature. Rolled onto it and paddled my way to the bathroom then spent about 5 minutes at a time getting onto the the throne. Next 3 months off the bike and wearing a kidney belt under my jacket for support when up and about.
I'm 48 and can still ride. Raced for many years after too.
And yeah back pain is a thing. Invest in the best mattress you can. And take up yoga.
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jeffro503
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jeffro503 1/20/2020 6:25pm
1/20/2020 6:25pm
LMFAO! Welp , let me tell ya haha. I have had bones sticking out of me , that didn't hurt as bad as they looked because everything was sort of numb. I've knocked the wind out of myself , where the next 2 - 3 minutes felt like death was near and I just couldn't breath. And trust me....it's even worse when your shattered ribs , rip a hole in one of your lungs , collapse the other one , along with a separated sternum .......and then you start drowning in your own blood. Those helicopter rides are sure sweet , but expensive!

Oh wait , almost forgot. The super duper painful part , is when the doctors cut all your clothes off and then take a plastic tube and flat palm it into you chest. I lost two days after that , and woke up , strapped to a breathing machine for about 5 days because I had symptoms of Pneumonia setting in. Good times , let me tell ya!
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Crush
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Crush 1/20/2020 6:43pm
1/20/2020 6:43pm
Crikey dude. I hope you heal up ok!
Underground 1/20/2020 7:50pm
1/20/2020 7:50pm
jeffro503 wrote:
LMFAO! Welp , let me tell ya haha. I have had bones sticking out of me , that didn't hurt as bad as they looked because...
LMFAO! Welp , let me tell ya haha. I have had bones sticking out of me , that didn't hurt as bad as they looked because everything was sort of numb. I've knocked the wind out of myself , where the next 2 - 3 minutes felt like death was near and I just couldn't breath. And trust me....it's even worse when your shattered ribs , rip a hole in one of your lungs , collapse the other one , along with a separated sternum .......and then you start drowning in your own blood. Those helicopter rides are sure sweet , but expensive!

Oh wait , almost forgot. The super duper painful part , is when the doctors cut all your clothes off and then take a plastic tube and flat palm it into you chest. I lost two days after that , and woke up , strapped to a breathing machine for about 5 days because I had symptoms of Pneumonia setting in. Good times , let me tell ya!
Holy shit dude, get a SxS already. You win the hospital list by about 4 pages Laughing
Not that it's very funny at the time.
Cortami79
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Cortami79 1/20/2020 9:20pm
1/20/2020 9:20pm
I have a compressed T7 in my back for 2,5 years now. still feel it every day but didn’t need any surgery. Just strengthen my back as much as possible and do a lot of posture movements every day
kaptkaos
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kaptkaos 1/20/2020 9:21pm
1/20/2020 9:21pm
jeffro503 wrote:
LMFAO! Welp , let me tell ya haha. I have had bones sticking out of me , that didn't hurt as bad as they looked because...
LMFAO! Welp , let me tell ya haha. I have had bones sticking out of me , that didn't hurt as bad as they looked because everything was sort of numb. I've knocked the wind out of myself , where the next 2 - 3 minutes felt like death was near and I just couldn't breath. And trust me....it's even worse when your shattered ribs , rip a hole in one of your lungs , collapse the other one , along with a separated sternum .......and then you start drowning in your own blood. Those helicopter rides are sure sweet , but expensive!

Oh wait , almost forgot. The super duper painful part , is when the doctors cut all your clothes off and then take a plastic tube and flat palm it into you chest. I lost two days after that , and woke up , strapped to a breathing machine for about 5 days because I had symptoms of Pneumonia setting in. Good times , let me tell ya!
Underground wrote:
Holy shit dude, get a SxS already. You win the hospital list by about 4 pages Laughing
Not that it's very funny at the time.
Yeah really
FWYT
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FWYT 1/20/2020 9:26pm
1/20/2020 9:26pm
Heal up well, brother!!!
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loftyair
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loftyair 1/20/2020 9:27pm
1/20/2020 9:27pm
Compression fractured t4,5, and 6. About an inch shorter than I should be! A numb strip on that part of my back. Had to re-learn how to walk. Was 'paralyzed' for a few days due to 'swelling'. That was in '85, perris ca. Started racing 6 months later. No real probs, just occasional pain from standing and not moving around enough. Good luck!
Matt Fisher
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Matt Fisher 1/20/2020 9:49pm
1/20/2020 9:49pm
temporarily_locked wrote:
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath...
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath. I always thought those people were being babies until last Friday. I had tunnel vision, saw bright lights and all around thought I was about to die.

Turns out I compression fractured my T11 vertebrae. It’s about a cm shorter on one side then it used to be. Urgent care doctor says 6 weeks for the bone to heal. Still trying to get in with a specialist. Anyone else broken one? Is this going to nag me permanently? I’m 30 and hoping to avoid surgery.
My son compression fractured T6, T8 and T9. 3-4 months later he was back to a normal, super active life. Back brace for a few weeks, then took it easy for several more. Admittedly he was a 15 year old in phenomenal shape, but excepting a longer time to heal up, you should be good to go.

Once healed up look into Foundation Training. There's a 12 minute video on YouTube, a book on Amazon, and a website too. Simple, no impact movements that work very well. Your back will thank you for the rest of your life.
KMC440
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KMC440 1/21/2020 6:05am
1/21/2020 6:05am Edited Date/Time 1/21/2020 6:05am
Heal up buddy .. eventually everyone has back issues.
Went to the doc 3yrs ago, back problem, doc asks "when did you break your back?"
Ummmmm I don't know why?
"because you broke your back"
Nope never broken my back
"look right here ! what is that !?!"
I don't know ... looks ok to me
"well it wasn't at one time! you don't remember? "
Nope

Don't sweat the small stuff.
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SweetDaddy
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SweetDaddy 1/21/2020 7:37am
1/21/2020 7:37am
temporarily_locked wrote:
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath...
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath. I always thought those people were being babies until last Friday. I had tunnel vision, saw bright lights and all around thought I was about to die.

Turns out I compression fractured my T11 vertebrae. It’s about a cm shorter on one side then it used to be. Urgent care doctor says 6 weeks for the bone to heal. Still trying to get in with a specialist. Anyone else broken one? Is this going to nag me permanently? I’m 30 and hoping to avoid surgery.
My advice is stop being a baby...
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AH387
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AH387 1/21/2020 7:46am
1/21/2020 7:46am
Never had that exact injury but I did crack my L4 and L5 back when I was 19, in a crash (I'm 38 now.) I still have issues but nothing overly significant, as I still ride and am active. Hopefully you don't have any lingering affects.

As far as knocking the wind out of you, I crashed hard right around Halloween of this year. Never gasped for air so bad in my life. Ended up only with a concussion and chest contusion/sprained ribs. Still having pain around my sternum lol. I only wore my under-the-jersey Seven padded vest that day. Thinking about wearing my Thor Sentinel over-the-jersey full-time, after that however.

Heal up, man.
JGray42
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JGray42 1/21/2020 8:34am
1/21/2020 8:34am
17 years ago I compression fractured my T-10, 11 and 12 and compound fractured my humerus at Walden MX. My vertebrae, which were previously rectangle shaped, were now wedge shaped with shards protruding into the spinal column space. The good news is I did not require any back surgery, just a turtle shell for a couple months. The elbow took 12 screws and 2 plates.
I don't have any real effects from the back injury. I need to exercise to keep it feeling good, but I think I'm no worse than most 60 year-olds who didn't fall 20 feet onto their butt.
Good luck with your recovery.
davermz450
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davermz450 1/21/2020 7:41pm
1/21/2020 7:41pm
Just got out of a neck brace that I had to deal with for 6 week. Fractured my C1. Currently have broken heel bones and healing up. Havent walked in 2 months
hogkiller
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hogkiller 1/21/2020 8:25pm
1/21/2020 8:25pm
1992 had mushroomed T12 vertebrae, compressed 4 disks,internal bleeding , back racing in 6 months. got lucky no surgery needed it mushroomed outwards i have a big knot in my back now and i am 1 inch shorter. i am 64 now and still racing mx doctor told me as long as i can stay active it would be good, when i stop being active it will be no good
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zippytech
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zippytech 1/22/2020 4:04am
1/22/2020 4:04am
temporarily_locked wrote:
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath...
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath. I always thought those people were being babies until last Friday. I had tunnel vision, saw bright lights and all around thought I was about to die.

Turns out I compression fractured my T11 vertebrae. It’s about a cm shorter on one side then it used to be. Urgent care doctor says 6 weeks for the bone to heal. Still trying to get in with a specialist. Anyone else broken one? Is this going to nag me permanently? I’m 30 and hoping to avoid surgery.
How old are you? Most of us normal human have had the wind knocked out of them way before we could type on a keyboard.
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TBone323
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TBone323 1/22/2020 4:47am
1/22/2020 4:47am
temporarily_locked wrote:
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath...
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath. I always thought those people were being babies until last Friday. I had tunnel vision, saw bright lights and all around thought I was about to die.

Turns out I compression fractured my T11 vertebrae. It’s about a cm shorter on one side then it used to be. Urgent care doctor says 6 weeks for the bone to heal. Still trying to get in with a specialist. Anyone else broken one? Is this going to nag me permanently? I’m 30 and hoping to avoid surgery.
I had a get off in October and had a compression fracture of my T9 and also broke my humerus. My back was sore but didn’t hurt bad. Within two months my doc said it was healed. After I got the all clear I started doing some stretching and cycling. My back feels fine, no nagging or soreness. Hope yours heals well. I’m 31.
NvHermit
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NvHermit 1/22/2020 5:02am
1/22/2020 5:02am
temporarily_locked wrote:
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath...
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath. I always thought those people were being babies until last Friday. I had tunnel vision, saw bright lights and all around thought I was about to die.

Turns out I compression fractured my T11 vertebrae. It’s about a cm shorter on one side then it used to be. Urgent care doctor says 6 weeks for the bone to heal. Still trying to get in with a specialist. Anyone else broken one? Is this going to nag me permanently? I’m 30 and hoping to avoid surgery.
zippytech wrote:
How old are you? Most of us normal human have had the wind knocked out of them way before we could type on a keyboard.
What does the very last sentence of "temporarily_locked" post say ?


You need to avoid getting the air knocked out of you in the future
Awcc
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Awcc 1/22/2020 5:40am
1/22/2020 5:40am Edited Date/Time 1/22/2020 5:41am
I mixed liquor and beer once and the next day I was as you describe, on all 4's, seeing stars and gasping for breath. No seriously though, it was scary. Don't drink a lot.
Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 1/22/2020 8:31am
1/22/2020 8:31am
6 weeks?? That's extremely quick. Good for you if that's the case.
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NicNak
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NicNak 1/22/2020 9:34am
1/22/2020 9:34am
I've done this twice. Once being way worse than the other. I compression fractured t-4, 6, 8, & 9 and was in the hospital for over a week. The doctors were going back and forth on if I needed surgery but eventually opted against it because I was only 21 years old. I fully recovered and am riding better than ever. I'm in the best shape of my life and am super strong when it comes to lifting weights, run 35-40 miles a week right now (pretty fast runner also) and the other issue I have is i constantly have a big knot on the right side of my back in line with my t-4. It's always super tight and i've never been able to get it to loosen up. It all comes down to what you do when you recover. If you eat healthy and workout it should not cause many issues.
DoctorJD
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DoctorJD 1/22/2020 10:17am
1/22/2020 10:17am
Yep. I've had a "C" and a "L" although it's been so long that I can't remember which number. I actually did the one in my neck jumping off of a pontoon boat, the lumbar was in a big crash in 89'. I remember taking almost three months off before getting back on the bike. As far as long-term effects, the cervical compression is still ever present in my life 31 years later. Not life-altering, so I'm not complaining, it could have been so much worse.

As far as getting the breath knocked out of you, it had been many, many, years since I've had that happen to me. Then a couple of years ago, I went down on a night (mtb) ride and landed on my ribs on a big tree stump. I sat there making high-pitched grunting noises for about 5 minutes. Ended up cracking some ribs. Man, you talk about a slow recovery time. There are times when I move just right that I can still feel it.
zippytech
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zippytech 1/22/2020 2:18pm
1/22/2020 2:18pm
NvHermit wrote:
What does the very last sentence of "temporarily_locked" post say ?


You need to avoid getting the air knocked out of you in the future
I do see that now... lol how the hell does one go 30 years and never get the wind knocked out of them? Was you in bubble wrap all 30 years?



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RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 1/22/2020 3:21pm
1/22/2020 3:21pm
temporarily_locked wrote:
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath...
Ever seen the person that just knocked the wind out of them selves on all fours, making ugly high pitched wheezing noises while choking for breath. I always thought those people were being babies until last Friday. I had tunnel vision, saw bright lights and all around thought I was about to die.

Turns out I compression fractured my T11 vertebrae. It’s about a cm shorter on one side then it used to be. Urgent care doctor says 6 weeks for the bone to heal. Still trying to get in with a specialist. Anyone else broken one? Is this going to nag me permanently? I’m 30 and hoping to avoid surgery.
Get another opinion. If it’s compressed that much consider Kyphoplasti. Look it up. You are young, get it fixed, get the height back up or it will F with you the rest of your life. Take my word. Kyphoplasti was new when I compressed T-5,6,7. Wish I would have gotten a 2nd opinion.
Surgery is NBD compared to a lifetime of nagging pain.
Switch
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Switch 1/22/2020 8:22pm
1/22/2020 8:22pm
Currently 33 with a compression fracture of T-11 and T-12, slipped disked between them, herniated disk below that that’s leaking, and MRI revealed a couple weeks ago I’ve got a torn ligament in the same area. Been in a back brace for 3 weeks, seeing a second specialist on the 4th of February. Bad part is I did it all last April and just thought my back hurt, didn’t wanna be a puss about it so I kept on with daily life.

Second-opinion doc says we’ll schedule the first surgery on the 4th, then at least 1 to 2 more because I’m an idiot and waited so long to see a doctor.

Be smart, do what they tell you, and don’t wait to get looked at if something feels wrong.
funktree
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funktree 1/22/2020 9:26pm
1/22/2020 9:26pm
No on the fracture but yes on the having wind knocked out, not fun but doesn't last too long. When I did it at the track as teen the poor track worker almost fainted because he thought I was dying.

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