Spinal compression fracture

Hello fellow GB’s,

If you wonder where the hell I’ve been, I went on vacation a few weeks ago and on my last day I had a really bad fall which resulted in a compression fracture at t-10. Since then, I had to stop my GB training cold since I couldn’t move much without significant pain. This Sunday will mark 4 weeks from the accident and I’m already walking pretty much pain free, although a bit stiff. Still a lot of work ahead until I can restore full my full mobility/function–assuming this is even possible with time. 

I’ve been doing my own movement therapy along with acupuncture, while attending the phone dance for x-rays, mri’s and doctor’s offices. I'm glad my orthopedist (spine specialist) didn't recommend surgery or brace. I finally saw a PT this Tues and he said that I look fabulous and that I’m lucky I can walk given the severity of my fall/injury. The MRI indicated bony retropulsion into the spinal canal and hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum indenting the dorsal thecal sac contributing to mild central canal stenosis and abutting the dorsal cord marginally bilaterally.

PT advised me to keep doing my mobility exercises but had little sympathy for my “when can I get back to my training” goals. My mind can stop wanting the things I cannot do now: bridge, HS, etc. Needless to say I’ll have to modify my training A LOT. I feel I can now start incorporating a few of the earlier GB elements, but I also have other injuries in my elbow and hamstrings which make it tricky to do many things...

I would love to hear from you, especially if you’ve had experience with spinal fractures and how you dealt with them emotionally, mentally. I keep reminding myself that I am grateful for what I have as the “I could’ve been paralyzed” narrative doesn’t do it for me. 

I miss you all! It’s a bit painful for me to read the forum now when I can’t do much, but I’m around, taking one day at a time. Keep training because you can!

Eva

Wishing you the best Eva!

Aaaw Eva wow so sorry to hear that!! I was wondering where you have been. Hang in there! Sending hugs!

Sorry to hear about your injury Eva. As you said, train what movements you can, and be sure to keep it pain-free. If anyone is committed enough to recover from such an injury, I'm willing to bet that you are. Best wishes!

Recover well! I wish you all the best and give you a big hug

This was the last thing you need. In the long term most people are not that limited with a compression fracture. You really need to test what you can do. You may be able to start on the same exercises you were on at week 1. If this is too painful dropmto the previous exercise and test again. There is no need to go back to the beginning.

Hi Eva,

So sorry to hear about your injury.  How did the fall occur?

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

Wishing you a speedy recovery!  You are strong, you will be back kicking butts in no time!

Fast recovery, Eva! You are a strong lady, you will be back in no time, once you are cleared to start training. Injury like this definitely makes you appreciate your healthy and strong body even more so. Keep recovering fast, but smart. 

You if anyone should make a full recovery, Eva. I'm confident you'll be fine just as long as you control that urge you may have to push yourself too hard too early. Take care.

Damn, that really sucks to read, this is last thing you need but I hope you can make a good and speedy recovery. 

Take care and good luck

+1 to what everyone else says. Scale back the load, the reps, the ROM, and try each element SLOWLY. "Slowly" gives your body time to figure out what you're doing, and should avoid the sudden "spasm" or "grab" that occurs when your body encounters some movement or position it doesn't like.

A few of my clients (lifters, runners, "normal" gym people...) always ask "So should I stop running/walking/gym-ing/whatever', and are usually surprised when they hear the answer "No, just scale/modify/do more upper body/lower body/whatever, but explore the movement and really concentrate on your form. And there should be no pain while you do this."

You will be back in full training before I've mastered MN/PE2

Wish you a speedy recovery, Eva. Take care.

Sorry to hear Eva!   

I hope your recovery goes smoothly!  If not, maybe seek out a Sports medicine doc, or someone who deals with athletes and knows that touching your toes is not extreme range of motion but normal range!  Xx

Thank you for your positive wishes. I hope you all killing your reps in good form!

@Coach Sommer I was outdoors on the mountains in WA. I was balancing supine on a partner’s back and the next second I was on the ground. It happened so fast, I have no recollection of why/how I lost control. One friend who saw me fall said that my back bended like a boomerang (sorta piked) as I fell down diagonally towards the ground (in the direction of my head) although I didn’t hit my head (thank god). I guess I must have tucked my chin and my upper traps may have softened the blow as I had a little dirt residue at the collar of my t-shirt. My mid back hit on hard soil as the momentum of my legs came over my head and then my legs bounced back to supine. 

My back feels very stiff still. Doctor doesn’t want me to do any deep flexion. My core was hugely inhibited for weeks! Now I’m starting to work HB holds. Moving into extension is very limited. I’ve modified the height of attachment point of my bungees and I’m doing mini upper t-spine extension only. I’ve taken no pain meds, so the pain continues to inform me of what is or not possible at the moment. 

@Eva Pelegrinsorry to hear that Eva

@Eva Pelegrin , sorry you have an injury - hope you recover in double time. Would welcome you verbally kicking us in the butt 

On 6/11/2016 at 0:27 PM, Eva Pelegrin said:

 the pain continues to inform me of what is or not possible at the moment. 

+1 to this. Last night at clinic I was treating someone who needed huge amounts of pressure (not my favourite type of client), and even though my treating technique is ok, I still woke up this morning unable to flex my right shoulder. Due to the surgery a few years ago the shoulder is really susceptible to impingement, though much of GST has helped it. Pain is my guide as well. Keep us updated on your progress Eva!