To cut a long story short I am suffering from a fractured L1 vertebrae from a bike crash racing the weekend before last.
The doctor has told me at least from now it will be 3 weeks of being on my back and/with a back brace and the use of a wheelchair. Then he says I can start non load bearing training such as aqua running, swimming and cycling indoors maybe outside afterwards.
In terms of my emotions, I feel ok, brave face and all that when others are around but then I read stuff and the realisation of it all hits me again and I feel pretty down.
I understand it could have been much worse (and that there people suffering way worse than I am), however in some ways I can’t help but feel totally frustrated and gutted as training had been great. I was feeling super, all three disciplines were buzzing an I had two 70.3s on the horizon, an IM to do to try to qualify for both Hawaii (qualified twice before) and Ultraman Australia next May. Now those seem very unlikely.
I suppose in all honestly this post is really for me to vent my frustration possibly with like minded individuals but I was also wondering if anyone has had a similar experience?
Do a search, couple topics and discussions already with advice and such.
You gotta stay sane and realize that your training now is based on recovery and healing. Be patient and get healed right the first time. It isn’t worth compromising the healing in your spine… your SPINE… to start riding/running/swimming early. You have to realize races and training are just are not important when balanced against health.
When I finally got back to training it was hell but then later I was better than ever. It’ll mean a lot more to you after facing this severe injury too.
It’s rough playing the waiting game to get back at it. I’ve had two back surgeries and know how frustrating it is. Definitely be patient and don’t rush back into training. Hope you have a speedy recovery!
What’d you fracture at L1? Anterior body? Tranverse process? What type of fracture is it?
I had concurrent wedge fractures of the anterior body at T5-T7 (along with bad whiplash at C4-C6) from a bike wreck in 2014. I was in my spinal brace for 8 weeks, followed by months of physical therapy. I ran a 2 mile race in December of that year, but really spent a long time in the water trying to keep the area flexible and moving. I didn’t really consider myself “back” till about July of last year.
Cycling is still really, really hard for me, particularly on a road bike. I find myself more comfortable in a tri position (which I have to give a hat tip to Slowman for the fitting).
What’d you fracture at L1? Anterior body? Tranverse process? What type of fracture is it?
I had concurrent wedge fractures of the anterior body at T5-T7 (along with bad whiplash at C4-C6) from a bike wreck in 2014. I was in my spinal brace for 8 weeks, followed by months of physical therapy. I ran a 2 mile race in December of that year, but really spent a long time in the water trying to keep the area flexible and moving. I didn’t really consider myself “back” till about July of last year.
Cycling is still really, really hard for me, particularly on a road bike. I find myself more comfortable in a tri position (which I have to give a hat tip to Slowman for the fitting).
Right. I had compression fractures that resulted in wedges in the anterior body. There are multiple types of compression fractures; just didn’t know which part of the vertebrae gave.
At any rate: take it easy, expect a lengthy rehab process. You’ll also likely need some soft tissue mobilization and manipulation (Graston, cupping, etc.) to help break up some of the muscle tension that is sure to result.
If you want to email me questions, etc. feel free to reach out.
You can make it back. You need to be incredibly patient. Y’know the saying about the first hour of an Ironman bike? Where it is literally impossible to take the first hour of the bike too easy? That’s what you have to be mindful of. You’re going to want to push. Take your time. It will pay dividends in your recovery later.
I work for docs that provide interventional pain management. It may be work looking into vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty instead of just bracing. Depending on the type of fracture it could be a quicker recovery.
I had 5 compression fractures in my back when I was 19. (C5,6,7 T1,2)
As others have said, and what you don’t want to hear. It is a long road, and there are not really any short cuts. I have come back early from arms and collarbones, this is a different league.
It is OK to feel down, you broke you effing back, it is a real deal injury. I was in the brace for about 2 months. (would have been 10 weeks, but my brother was getting married so they let me out of it a week early) and then 2 months of PT.
There are all sorts of things that will come up and bother you, the brace will rub, smell and feel like it is suffocating you, I had (and had heard others) issues with throwing up about the 6 week point, no one could tell me why this was, but again, I guess others had it as well.
Don’t plan your comeback yet. Sounds hard and it sucks. But as someone else said, recovery is your full time gig right now.
When you are out of the brace. STRETCH. Today tomorrow and 10 years from now. My daily ritual is to touch my toes, if I can’t I keep working until I can. It took me 2 years after to be able to do so. I am not letting it slip now.
On the above. your results, may be different. but on the below, they should be similar.
Volunteer. I feel strongly that my ability to walk is a result of an amazing medical staff, and a lot of luck. I spent a lot of time going to the hospital, talking to kids and adults with spine injuries helping out where I could etc. Sounds strange, but the people you will meet will also be feeling a bit down. For me it was a great way to pass the time when I could not do a lot else.