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What should I expect after having a significant L1 compression fract?
6 months ago I sustained a significant L1 compression fracture from a fall. I do not have what i would consider severe or sharp pain but am definitely limited to what I use to do. I find that my lower back on the sides of my ribs and hips are fatigued easily from even 20 minutes of pulling weeds or similar tasks. Is this normal, should I be considering another doctor visit? It is not very often that I don't notice that my back is bothering me in some way, definitely stiff after sitting. Can I do damage or wear things out by maintain pre-accident lifestyle? i am 54 years young. 🙂 Thanks
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54 years of age is quite young. What happened 6 months ago to cause your fracture? Do u have osteoporosis?
Most compression fractures heal without surgery within 3 months. Since it’s been 6 months, it’s likely time to revisit the issue with your doc. Conservative, non surgical treatment includes things like rest, medications, physical therapy (especially core muscle strengthening).
If u choose a procedure, I personally favor kyphoplasty over vertebralplasty as it restores the bone mass, so lesser chance of a “hunched” back. My grandmother had a compression fracture that was very disabling. She lived very far out in the country, in a coal mining town. I brought her to my place, with a large regional hospital. The interventional radiologists did kyphoplasties daily (I think that it is key to ask how often your procedure is done). She breezed through it, took no time at all. She was almost immediately pain free and asking to return home.
Regardless of how you decide to treat this fracture, a compression fracture without serious trauma is enough to make the diagnosis of osteoporosis. So that means you are at risk for further fractures. Discuss treatment with your doctor. Learn about osteoporosis. Have blood work that includes a vitamin D level. Modify your diet. Ensure you are getting adequate calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2. Weight bearing exercise is important. Quit smoking if u have this habit.These are just cursory recs. As you learn more about osteoporosis , you can adapt your strategy. I don’t want to overload you immediately lol
There are many posts here on mayo about osteoporosis.
Good luck
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4 ReactionsI fell backwards on my cement garage floor and sustained a compression fracture of L2-L3 in 2010. I was in bed for a few days before I could get to the ER and over a couple years the pain went from mild to moderate and eventually extreme. I had surgery on March 7th, this year and the surgeon said it was worse than imaging had shown (the bone was pushing on the spinal cord) so he did a triple laminectomy with a fusion of L2-L4. I am still having trouble walking and pain is no
better but at 77 years old, my bones have seen better days. The compression caused issues with my bladder and bowls as well that have not yet resolved.
thanks for your response, i passed out and fell backward and came to after my butt hit the floor with excruciating pain. Not being conscious prevented me from bracing my fall. I went to the chiro after a month and a half and that was probably not a good idea after no resolve I ended up seeing the doc.
i hope you feel better soon. thanks for your response.
Did the doc do an evaluation for the cause of your passing out? I sure wouldn’t want it to happen again!
Laura is right, you need to figure out what caused your syncopal episode so you don’t repeat your injury. You’re a very lucky guy in that you aren’t debilitated in any way from your fall and subsequent injury. You should be very happy nothing worse occurred and consider seeing a PT for an evaluation once you’ve ruled out everything else.