Back Pain after a Weird Fall

Before I say anything else, I want everyone to know that I have already set a doctor's appointment. They can't get me in for about two weeks, so I thought I'd turn here in the meantime. 

Almost two weeks ago, I took a weird fall where I was mantling about 5-10 feet above the last bolt and a fist size foothold broke as I was stepping up through the mantle. Because of the weird position and the unexpectedness of the fall, I fell more backwards than down and ended flipping upside-down and falling about 20 feet. I was a little shocked so it is possible that I am misremembering, but I don't think my back hit the wall at all (I had no marks or bruising on my back either), I just dangled upside down until I could flip myself back the right way. I was unhurt, so I finished the climb. About two days later, I noticed back pain starting to develop around the spine around my mid-to-lower back. It was pretty mild, so I didn't really think much of it. I have continued to climb and it never really hurts while I'm climbing, but has gotten progressively worse at work (office job) and at night. 

Any ideas on what I did? Should I stop climbing/exercising? Should I try to stretch it or work it in any way? Or is it just gonna take some time to heal?

I'm going to guess here... I mean, purely guessing, that the MRI will come back with a mild herniation of a Thoracic vertebra. Rest, NSAIDS, light stretching, nothing that compresses the spine will be the doctor's orders.  When is the appointment?

Michael Buszko wrote:

I'm going to guess here... I mean, purely guessing, that the MRI will come back with a mild herniation of a Thoracic vertebra. Rest, NSAIDS, light stretching, nothing that compresses the spine will be the doctor's orders.  When is the appointment?

Actually about three weeks, March 22. I knew it would take forever to get in so I figured I'd set it in case I still need it, cancel it if I feel better. Currently I feel significantly worse though, so I guess we'll see. The worst it's felt was carrying a heavy backpack on the hike out during a day trip last Wednesday (about a week after it happened); otherwise, it hurts significantly more when I lean back, so I'd say you're right that not compressing the spine is the way to go. I'll probably just take some time off.

Yeah I think that's prudent.  I have had significant back problems in my life and generally mobility exercises and stretching is good, and low impact exercise is ok, like swimming... But after the initial injury has calmed down. Irritating the nerve while the area is inflamed and swollen from the damage/herniation etc will only cause more pain and further cause the area to swell up, reducing mobility.  

Again, I'm really guessing here what's going on with your, but I'd wait to get some images and hear from the expert what level of activity you can sustain.

Sounds like you might have had a hyperextension injury which can occur around the harness line.or a little higher.   Get an X-ray to make sure you don’t have a pars fracture. Best wishes for speedy recovery 

You can sometimes get in to see the doctor earlier if you call and ask to be put on the cancellation list (I've found asking multiple times can yield good results).

I think doctors have their value but in dealing with my own back injury I ultimately found a path forward by working with several PTs (after visiting a doctor to rule out fractures, disc injuries, etc.)

Interesting article about the utility of MRIs as a diagnostic tool for back pain -- it seems that they're far less effective for the back than dle other body parts: mendcolorado.com/physical-t…