Spinal compression fractures

MPJC
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MPJC
Edited Date/Time 12/19/2020 10:07pm
My kid (18 years old) crashed back in September and since his back is still bothering him, he went and got it checked and it turns out his T11 has a compression fracture. He said his Dr. said 20% of that vertebrae is crushed. I have no knowledge of this kind of injury but I'm guessing that some people here have experienced it. Sounds like it should heal on its own, but being a worried parent, I'm hoping it doesn't have any long term effects. Anyone here have any insights?

Now that he's 18 he's going to the Dr. himself. I wish I could have been there to ask questions.
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mx617
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mx617 12/17/2020 11:07am
12/17/2020 11:07am
I had compression fracture of T6 and T7 in 2016 I think. Took a while to heal but it's back to normal now. I was 32 at the time so he'll heal better with any luck.
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MPJC
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MPJC 12/17/2020 11:11am
12/17/2020 11:11am
mx617 wrote:
I had compression fracture of T6 and T7 in 2016 I think. Took a while to heal but it's back to normal now. I was 32...
I had compression fracture of T6 and T7 in 2016 I think. Took a while to heal but it's back to normal now. I was 32 at the time so he'll heal better with any luck.
Thanks for the insight. Your injury sounds like it was probably worse than what he has. It only bothers him when he moves certain ways. The biggest concern now is he's a lifeguard and needs to be able to pull someone out of the pool if needed. He's been working this whole time, not knowing there was anything much wrong.
musrat88
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musrat88 12/17/2020 12:28pm
12/17/2020 12:28pm
I got a compound fracture in t6 about 6 years ago and probably went a year in pain before I had an MRI done to find cause of back pain. I would have pain in back and rib area. Had a procedure called Kyphoplasty done where they inject cement into spine. It was an outpatient procedure and only 2 weeks of light duty. No more pain I highly recommend
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MPJC
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MPJC 12/17/2020 1:12pm
12/17/2020 1:12pm
musrat88 wrote:
I got a compound fracture in t6 about 6 years ago and probably went a year in pain before I had an MRI done to find...
I got a compound fracture in t6 about 6 years ago and probably went a year in pain before I had an MRI done to find cause of back pain. I would have pain in back and rib area. Had a procedure called Kyphoplasty done where they inject cement into spine. It was an outpatient procedure and only 2 weeks of light duty. No more pain I highly recommend
Good to know. Will make sure he discusses with his Dr. if pain persists. Thanks!
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Paw Paw 271
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Paw Paw 271 12/17/2020 1:36pm
12/17/2020 1:36pm
My T5 and T6 were both crushed 18 months ago. I have had surgery where they use a balloon to open up the breaks from the inside and then inject an expanding type of glue in it to get the pieces back into the correct position and is to relive the pain. Well now it has been 18 months and still no relief from the pain. In fact I am on a hell of a lot of pain killers that don't seem to do much. They now are telling me that it may not get better.

Good luck with your healing !!!!!!!! Sure hope yours goes better than mine has.

Paw Paw


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mac3-d
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mac3-d 12/17/2020 1:47pm
12/17/2020 1:47pm
For me. Compression fracture to the L2 snowboarding in France, most excruciating pain I have experienced to date. 30 mins later I had no pain thankfully (no doctor or physio can explain that) they debated on operating but decided to fit a 'corset'
The hospital deals with lots of spinal injuries & I was told if it had been the T12 or higher rods would have been inserted & removed later. This could have been because the abdomen muscles would help with the Lumber area. The corset stayed on for 12 weeks to stabilise (consolidate) the fracture & I was not allowed to sit only for eating at a bar stool height to keep my legs straight in line with upper body as much as possibly, lay on my side most of the time & walking at times.
Corset came off for showing but only for 10 mins. After the 12 weeks the brace was gradually weaned off but my back muscles had waisted away & it took a year & a half to get enough strength back to finally get back to work. Swimming & yoga was what seemed to help me.
Hope your son gets the help he needs
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MPJC
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MPJC 12/17/2020 2:04pm
12/17/2020 2:04pm
Paw Paw 271 wrote:
My T5 and T6 were both crushed 18 months ago. I have had surgery where they use a balloon to open up the breaks from the...
My T5 and T6 were both crushed 18 months ago. I have had surgery where they use a balloon to open up the breaks from the inside and then inject an expanding type of glue in it to get the pieces back into the correct position and is to relive the pain. Well now it has been 18 months and still no relief from the pain. In fact I am on a hell of a lot of pain killers that don't seem to do much. They now are telling me that it may not get better.

Good luck with your healing !!!!!!!! Sure hope yours goes better than mine has.

Paw Paw


Sorry to hear that. My kid can still function well and he only has pain in certain positions. Sounds like it's a waiting game now to see if it gets better. It's been 3 months so hopefully it heals more yet.

Best of luck, and thanks!
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MPJC 12/17/2020 2:13pm
12/17/2020 2:13pm
mac3-d wrote:
For me. Compression fracture to the L2 snowboarding in France, most excruciating pain I have experienced to date. 30 mins later I had no pain thankfully...
For me. Compression fracture to the L2 snowboarding in France, most excruciating pain I have experienced to date. 30 mins later I had no pain thankfully (no doctor or physio can explain that) they debated on operating but decided to fit a 'corset'
The hospital deals with lots of spinal injuries & I was told if it had been the T12 or higher rods would have been inserted & removed later. This could have been because the abdomen muscles would help with the Lumber area. The corset stayed on for 12 weeks to stabilise (consolidate) the fracture & I was not allowed to sit only for eating at a bar stool height to keep my legs straight in line with upper body as much as possibly, lay on my side most of the time & walking at times.
Corset came off for showing but only for 10 mins. After the 12 weeks the brace was gradually weaned off but my back muscles had waisted away & it took a year & a half to get enough strength back to finally get back to work. Swimming & yoga was what seemed to help me.
Hope your son gets the help he needs
He doesn't have much for restrictions now and doesn't need a brace. He likes to swim - he's a lifeguard so you'd think he'd have plenty of opportunity but he has to book his lane swims and availability is scarce with covid restrictions so he just hasn't bothered. I'll encourage him to keep trying - I'm sure the exercise would be good. He's really got no exercise at all for the last few months and that can't be good as keeping up muscle tone is helpful.

Thanks!
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EngIceDave 12/17/2020 2:25pm
12/17/2020 2:25pm Edited Date/Time 12/17/2020 2:33pm
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Paw Paw 271
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Paw Paw 271 12/17/2020 2:41pm
12/17/2020 2:41pm
The young ones heal up much faster than us old guys. he most likely will do just fine.

Paw Paw
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vetclasspunker 12/17/2020 2:47pm
12/17/2020 2:47pm
I have had 3 spinal compression fractures of the T3 and T4 (10-20%). I have had the best luck alleviating the pain by:

1. Seeing a chiropractor that is well versed in Active Release Therapy once every 6 months
2. Yoga or other forms of stretching on a regular basis
3. Focus on posture

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MPJC
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MPJC 12/17/2020 2:49pm
12/17/2020 2:49pm
Paw Paw 271 wrote:
The young ones heal up much faster than us old guys. he most likely will do just fine.

Paw Paw
Definitely, youth is a wonderful thing. That's why I ride well within the limits of my limited skill.
hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/17/2020 2:50pm
12/17/2020 2:50pm Edited Date/Time 12/17/2020 2:56pm
T11 T12 in September 2017. It felt fine after a few weeks in certain positions but was excruciating in other positions. It was 100% by the time offseason was over in March or so.

I was also 18 and they didn’t want to XRay for a few weeks since the XRay was gonna do more damage than the diagnosis could. I went for sports massages a few times a week until it felt good enough to be adjusted by a chiro.
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MPJC 12/17/2020 2:51pm
12/17/2020 2:51pm
vetclasspunker wrote:
I have had 3 spinal compression fractures of the T3 and T4 (10-20%). I have had the best luck alleviating the pain by: 1. Seeing a...
I have had 3 spinal compression fractures of the T3 and T4 (10-20%). I have had the best luck alleviating the pain by:

1. Seeing a chiropractor that is well versed in Active Release Therapy once every 6 months
2. Yoga or other forms of stretching on a regular basis
3. Focus on posture

Active release therapy - I'll keep that in mind. His doctor has advised him to stay away from physiotherapy or chiro for now. But I have a riding buddy who is a chiropractor - I'll discuss with him. Thanks
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MPJC 12/17/2020 2:53pm
12/17/2020 2:53pm
hypermoto wrote:
T11 T12 in September 2017. It felt fine after a few weeks in certain positions but was excruciating in other positions. It was 100% by the...
T11 T12 in September 2017. It felt fine after a few weeks in certain positions but was excruciating in other positions. It was 100% by the time offseason was over in March or so.

I was also 18 and they didn’t want to XRay for a few weeks since the XRay was gonna do more damage than the diagnosis could. I went for sports massages a few times a week until it felt good enough to be adjusted by a chiro.
Good to hear. Sounds like my kid's experience - feels fine in some positions, hurts in others. Hopefully he'll be good to go in the spring too. Thanks!
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mac3-d 12/17/2020 3:50pm
12/17/2020 3:50pm
MPJC wrote:
He doesn't have much for restrictions now and doesn't need a brace. He likes to swim - he's a lifeguard so you'd think he'd have plenty...
He doesn't have much for restrictions now and doesn't need a brace. He likes to swim - he's a lifeguard so you'd think he'd have plenty of opportunity but he has to book his lane swims and availability is scarce with covid restrictions so he just hasn't bothered. I'll encourage him to keep trying - I'm sure the exercise would be good. He's really got no exercise at all for the last few months and that can't be good as keeping up muscle tone is helpful.

Thanks!
Yes swimming puts very little strain on the spine, as for yoga don't push it, it just comes with time & hopefully this time next year he'll be back to full health
smashingpumpkins167 12/17/2020 4:04pm
12/17/2020 4:04pm Edited Date/Time 12/17/2020 4:05pm
I hyperextended and compressed my t5 and t6. Allegedly my boots came around and hit me in the back of the head. I don't remember any of it because it was knocked out. This was 20 years ago. It used to bother me pretty much once a year but it's fine now. I wish I would have gotten some kind of brand because now my back is crooked like a question mark.

They missed the diagnosis at the first ER visit. Nobody knew it was broke until I followed up.
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captmoto 12/17/2020 4:19pm
12/17/2020 4:19pm
MPJC wrote:
My kid (18 years old) crashed back in September and since his back is still bothering him, he went and got it checked and it turns...
My kid (18 years old) crashed back in September and since his back is still bothering him, he went and got it checked and it turns out his T11 has a compression fracture. He said his Dr. said 20% of that vertebrae is crushed. I have no knowledge of this kind of injury but I'm guessing that some people here have experienced it. Sounds like it should heal on its own, but being a worried parent, I'm hoping it doesn't have any long term effects. Anyone here have any insights?

Now that he's 18 he's going to the Dr. himself. I wish I could have been there to ask questions.
My mom (88) is dealing with some bad health issues. When she has to go in for an appointment we have her call one of us and put it on speaker so we can hear and ask our own questions. Mention this to your son unless he doesn't want you to listen in.

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Blackie59
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Blackie59 12/17/2020 6:50pm
12/17/2020 6:50pm
Compressed my T8 and T9 in 1978, lost an inch in height, wore a brace for four months and 42 years later I haven’t had any serious problems from it. You have to learn to lift with your legs, be careful not to get too twisted at times, but otherwise just don’t do stupid stuff.
adam8781
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adam8781 12/19/2020 8:50am
12/19/2020 8:50am
did my L5 2016, (shatterd pelvis too) healed up okish will always hurt just decided to not give in and just pretend im fine. see the best specialist you can find and dont rush any kind of recovery. i was back on the bike 9 months later than i got landed on and broke a ton more stuff. i should have stayed off for the year
trentmanracing 12/19/2020 1:01pm
12/19/2020 1:01pm
I broke my T8 and T11 in 2009. Wore a back brace for 6 months or so. Still have some back pain but thats my bad not doing my exercises everyday. Stay in PT guys.... Stay in PT......
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dirtwalker 12/19/2020 8:39pm
12/19/2020 8:39pm
I’ve got one.
My Main advice, let the bone heal.
Then be aware there can be associated soft tissue damage that takes longer to heal and doctors often focus on the bone. So keep an eye on things and if needed get the soft tissue side checked out properly.
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Matt Fisher 12/19/2020 10:07pm
12/19/2020 10:07pm
My son compression fractured T6, T7, and T9 on Memorial Day his freshmen year of HS. Wore a brace for around 2 months, and recovered well enough to be local league wrestling champ and win a national Judo title by the year's end. He said that the only time his back seems less than 100% today (he's 22) is when he's tired and uses lousy posture when sitting- just like the rest of us.
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WhipMeister 12/19/2020 11:27pm
12/19/2020 11:27pm
T6 and T10 plus a burst L2.. The L2 was the focus. They didn't even touch the Ts. Mainly ok, although I have recently had some fairly chronic shoulder blade pain I think could be from the T6.
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DM268 12/20/2020 11:59pm
12/20/2020 11:59pm
I had a very similar fracture to my T11 in 2014 when I was 20 years old. I had to wear a back brace/cast for I think six or so weeks. I started riding again a couple weeks after. I haven't had any issues since. I just know my limits when it comes to jumps and ride more for fun these days. On long road trips I do make sure I have good lumbar support, and have good posture.
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motoxxx599 12/21/2020 3:34am
12/21/2020 3:34am
I had surgery on my T-4 and T-5 which were compression fractured in a crash at the advice of my doctor and it was a shit show. The surgery went wrong and I was in the hospital for weeks. Another doctor reviewed my pre-surgery X-rays and scans afterward and said a couple of weeks of rest and ice would have probably done the trick.

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