Posts
34
Joined
6/3/2020
Location
Weymouth, MA
US
Edited Date/Time
8/4/2020 12:36pm
2 weeks ago I took a pretty bad hit and was lucky Enough to only have 1 transverse process fracture in my L4.. has anyone dealt with this similar injury and when did you get back on the bike?
If you have symptoms other than low back pain, a CT scan or MRI maybe ordered but doesn't seem likely since you're two weeks post-injury. Physcial therapy rehab exercises may be recommended after the bone is healed if you have any residual pain or movement impairments - this isn't needed that often.
Good luck and heal up.
I’ve had 2 lumbar fusion surgeries and a neck fusion surgery and did all the dr wanted me to do and it took a while to get back going, but I feel great on the bike now!!!
In fact I just picked up a 2020 ktm 150sx...
The Shop
I can see the reference pins on the L5-S1 from the PEEK cage, but what kinda cage is at L4-L5? Im not familiar with that type of spacer, Im guessing its titanium?
So I’m basically trying to see if anyone had had a similar injury how long they were off the bike
Thats your call, but I would opt for the long term picture and be patient.
I fractured L3, 4 and 5 transverse process and broke multiple ribs in a crash a couple years ago.
Was off the bike for the ribs for 2 - 3 months and once they healed enough I was able to ease back into normal.
Dr. recommended some PT but I passed on it.
I figured 3+ months I should be good
At first I had no real lingering issue until 3-4 months later.
Kept pulling a back muscle for no reason, one time just picking up the dogs empty food bowl.
The dog bowl and one other time it was drop to your knees and don't move it hurt so bad.
I had never experienced anything like that, ever.
Finally went to my Ortho to see what was up.
He reminded me that to fracture the traverse process you have a massive pull from your muscle to break it ( the ground impact).
Often times the muscle and ligaments pulls off the bone, a little to a lot.
During the healing process the bone heals much faster than the soft tissue will.
He said you can have swelling at the tear site for months, up to a year before it fully heals.
In my case after 6 months I resumed everything normal, snow skiing, riding the bike, etc.
I was slowly aggravating the soft tissue injury to the point it finally tore again, my 'muscle pulls'
I followed his directions and did a month of PT.
To be fair, I was 52 when it happened and healing just takes longer the older you get.
Haven't had a single issue in the 4 years since that happened.
Whatever you do, good luck.
If it's only a transverse process fracture should be that easy. If you have any other underlying soft tissue or facet joint injury, disc etc might be a bit longer but hopefully that isn't the case.
#injuriesareapartofmoto
If you are young (under 25) and healthy, then healing rates for this aren't bad. There is a risk of getting back on the bike, falling again (who crashes in moto?), and re-injuring it. I understand the rush to get back on the bike, but in the big picture view, let it heal and follow the directions of your ortho. It seems you're about 2.5 weeks into this and you likely have another 2-4 weeks to go. You'll be back before you know it.
I wouldn't be too concerned about the individual who has fusion above as that would not be a considered treatment for transverse process fractures.
Again, the stats are in your favor - let it heal over the next few weeks and most likely nothing to worry about. No need to rush back just 2 weeks early.
As a side note: I, nor any healthcare professional, can give you recommendations for care over a forum - too much to risk losing a license, lol.
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