Groundfall L1 compression fracture

Hi everybody ! I had a bad groundfall 8 weeks ago. I fell down approximately 20-24 feet and hit the ground as seated position. Sustained L1 compression fracture %20. Neurosurgeon first wanted to operate but because of my age (29) no surgery  he gave me brace and bed rest for 2-3 moths. Thankfully there are no nerve or spinal cord damage only exhausted lumbar area.

Its now two months ı have bern lying down 22 hours  a day. I walk short distances about 100meters  four _five times daily. İ dont have intense back pain if i dont force. I am a little bit depressed because doctor didnt talk clear about my sport life after recovery. I am very active person. I have some hope that i can back to Mountains again after the proper phsiyo but i wonder will i be able to run  full strength again.

Is there anyone who experienced similliar injury and back to such an active sports like running football bodybuilding etc.

Any advice - comment appreciated will be helpfull.

1. Voice your concerns to your doctor and see what he says. Speak up for yourself! (I assume you'll see him again soon?)

2. Get a second opinion. From a different orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon. Ask the questions you want answers to (seems obvious, but sounds like you didn't ask your doctor about your future athletics)

Anything with the spine is tough and varies wildly from individual to individual.

I would stick solely to the recommendations of your doctors.  Getting a second (and possibly third) opinion would be a wise option if you're not getting sufficient info from your doc. Before you go it's worthwhile to write a list of important questions. 

When it comes to the spine it's critical you strictly follow the advice of doctors and focus on one step at a time.

It's tough but be patient and follow the advice of your doctors and PTs.

Thanks for replies. I will consult second specialist but i live in a place like rural area another hospital little far  so i have to wait more time now. İ just wanted to hear succesful recovery stories similliar  that give me some hope. Breaking your back is serious and this is my first break of my whole life. Life sure has a sick sense of humor. 

What happened?

Well i am not a pro climber just montaineering but we climb rocks, cliffs if they  crop out in front of our way. I was leading to get throug a cliff but there was a wet rock i could not realise suddenly slide and fell down. I dont know i was fortunate or not as only have one vertebrae broken fall from such height. 

I fractured T11 to L1 and came back to climbing pretty handily. Your injury sounds like it might be worse. I tackled PT and the exercises and that was enough for me to come back. Within four months I’d done my first leading. But that was highly NOT cleared with my MD.

Had a similar experience about one year ago.  L2 and L3 compression fractures along with a couple ribs and some other peripheral bones.  The vertebrae x-rays looked scary bad.  Doc suggested surgery which i passed on.

After the brace came off, I focused on strengthening my core muscles,  30 minutes of core exercises and stretching, 2 or 3 times per week.  It took a very long time to get my strength back but a year later now, i feel as good as ever as long as i keep up the core exercises.

Long periods of sitting in a chair still cause pain but no pain otherwise.

I broke L2 in a biking accident years ago. Was not a climber back then. Had to have fusion T12 to L3. Recovery was quite an ordeal but I can’t imagine that months of bed rest is a good idea. I would work hard on getting a second opinion. 

I took a ground fall 20 - 25 feet sustained a compression fractured to my L2 a few years back.... headed to the black canyon for some big fun this weekend, full recovery and climbing stronger than ever; however, every case is different and hope the best of luck to you. I really feel like if you want to climb again you can your body will believe it and will make it happen, your body is an amazing machine and can do amazing things.

Etki, I vaporized my L1 years ago. No surgery (thank god) anyway, I had several opinions and consultations. I elected not to take any pain killers( which slow recovery) I also did loads of pt and lost some lbs(less stress on the back). I’m climbing harder than ever. I have to do yoga every day and I use a foam roller and heated shiatsu massager. It still hurts, but if I keep my core strong and hamstrings and hips flexible, I am not limited. Good luck. Also make sure you’re wearing good shoes aka podiatrist approved shoes and using insoles in approach shoes. Last, don’t have your wallet in your back pocket. -Dono

Thanks for the encouraging replies and spent time for me. I really appreciated. I want to handle this without surgery. Already i am on this progress instructed by my neurosurgeon. Good to hear succesful recoveries from you. Its so hard lying down all day in this beginning summer days but i hope will worth it. My next appointment is 3 weeks later.

 İ am hopeful now with respect to back to climbing again months or a year later. Unfortunately i think my football career is over maybe permanently. Its sad but at least i am thankful for this.

Thanks for the advices and your time again. I will progresively update about my recovery in order to inform someone who may live similliar accident in one day seek for all this. Good luck everyone. 

Yes i was told to be in bed lying down down for the first 8 weeks except for my basic requirements wc food etc. However i cheated many times i went walking and smoking for 10-15 minuthes. After two months he said walk as much as you can till it hurts. 

Etki Tarrega wrote: Yes i was told to be in bed lying down down for the first 8 weeks except for my basic requirements wc food etc. However i cheated many times i went walking and smoking for 10-15 minuthes. After two months he said walk as much as you can till it hurts. 

Perhaps you should disclose which country you are from - medical protocols will differ. From what I remember smoking is not that great for healing fractures.

I am from Turkey. İ dont think it varies up to countries. Yes smoking sucks but i am boring. İ plan to give up when i can back to daily activities at least. 

• Thank you very much JHS for sharing it. You injury is much more serious you must have fallen directly on your hips. I am happy  for your recovery. You told enough. İ appreciated for spending your time.thats important. So enjoy your trip, catch amazing memories. Good luck you all

Sorry to hear about your fall. Such a bummer. All fractures/people are different, so it's hard to pull much from other people about the injury itself. I burst my L1 w/ minor spinal cord complications about a year and a half ago. I was in a TLSO brace (I'm sure the same one you're in) for about 4 months whenever I was out of bed. My biggest advice is to listen to the docs. It's hard being an active and motivated person, but I've noticed every time I try to do too much or think I'm all better, I set myself back further. Stay in the for the long game -- your body will thank you later. And remember, when they say you can return to activities in X months, that is normal person activities, not climbing mountains and taking ground falls. Try hard at not trying hard. It's a cool opportunity to pick up some other hobbies.

Oh yeah. Definitely quit smoking -- if not for your lungs, for your bones.

Etki Tarrega wrote
Any advice - comment appreciated will be helpfull.

I had 3 months in traction then 2 years wearing a brace till it fell to pieces.  I then wore a tight heavy belt for a year or two.  I lost most of my strength and flexibility.  I first got into spear fishing because it put little load on my back.  I gradually got back into exercise and sports.  I work out on my hang board with weights and train 2+ hours daily.  Now I have most of my flexibility back and can put 2 palms on the floor with straight legs and I'm back to full strength. It only took 40 years.

Thanks for giving time Craig. Its really hard to be in slow motion with fractured vertebrae for a long time. I was always fit an active playing many sports and climbing in spiritual way. Now I personally dont think any bouldering or leading for a months maybe more even if i recovered well enough occasionally top rope only. These are serious injuries and most of people are confused what to expect about movement restirictions in the future so thanks for your post again it will work for many people now and on. Good luck! 

Thanks for the post Syd!  You wore the brace for two years and it took 40 years all the progress on recovery??? I mean for the full fitness in 40 year. If so this is definetly matter of documentary. What had you broken exactly? I am really suprised and happy for that you are able to put palms on the floor with straight legs. Ultimately this is very good even many people with no spine issues are unable to do this.. Good to hear that for me and a lot of other  spine victims. 

I broke my L5 in a non-climbing fall when I was 39 and ended up wearing a brace for six-months and it then took another year to get back into good shape - it's never bothered me since, but every case is different...