Quote Originally Posted by alanaos View Post
Hi

in answer to your questions:
Hello again
I haven't seen the x-rays but the consultant said that the fracture was across the larger part of the vertebre with the top part having moved about 2mm.
This is the body of the vertebra
It was incurred due to me falling back onto my reserve parachute (which was still packed inside my container - the reserve sits in the top part of the rig so it caused a sort of shelf for me to jar against). The force of this hitting my back produced a pretty clean fracture. It's not a compression fracture and there are no other neurological implications, plus my spinal cord has been unaffected.
This sounds like a wedge facture, although not a compression fracture it may influence the joint space. Was there any prolapse/disc bulge?
The consultant had me stand and walk to the toilet the same day.
How did that go? Did you use any aids?
I have an appointment with the fracture clinic next Tuesday and at the moment I'm only taking pain relief at bed time (I was only prescribed paracetemol and codene but I don't like taking codene due to problems with constiation).
During your visit to best enhance your recovery please ask for a referral to a hydrotherapy physiotherapy class. You will lose muscle, strength, cardiovascular fitness during this time. I highly recommend that in order to enhance recovery (you appear to be fit previously) to continue to work on your fitness, and really there is no reason not to.
I have been advised to rest as much as possible but I haven't been told not to stand.
It would be nice to know exactly what was said. However, please do not confine yourself to bed rest. Complete movements as tolerated. If you are confined to bef for whatever reason try to move your upper limbs as much as possible. A stretching programme would be useful as well.
I have an apointment with the fracture clinic next tues and the only other problem I've noticed seems to be my left stiatic (sp) nerve causing me pain. I did also sprain my right ankle quite badly and I'm wondering if I'm compensating for this in ny way. I find that lying in the same position for too long also causes more aching and pain.
by the virtue of the aches and pain, your body is telling you that it needs to move about. Try moving a little bit every few minutes. It only takes minutes for muscles to mal-adapt into spasm.

In short it almost feels like if I could get some movement going it might help but I don't want to risk anything. I'm a healthy weight and usually in good shape (so being unable to do any exercise is difficult for me anyway). I'm also vegetarian and never eat procesed foods.
Once again, the clinic appointment is nearing and hydrotherapy may be the best bet for yourself. Without knowing clearly the implications of the # it is difficult to say what you can/can not do. But there is no reason your upper body can not be utilised to maximise your fitness in the meantime.
Any advice much welcome as the hospital really weren't very helpful (they discharged me without even getting the physio to show me how to barrol roll or take the stairs).
Please bring this up with the consultant, be adamant that you require physiotherapy.
Alana.
As above regards