[Closed] Broken back. How long before you're err back?

I won't name him ( he doesn't come on here anyway ) ..not as serious as your injury..but one of my riding mates fell off a horse at speed while holidaying in South Africa a couple of years back ..fused some vertebrae..but got back riding a mountain bike as soon as he could ..he has a high pain threshold though and doesn't let anything hold him back ..

Oh ..didnt mention ..he was 70 years old when this happened .

Stay positive / be patient ..Im sure you will get there and best luck for a full recovery .

I seem to recall a thread on here sometime ago with someone who did similar near Watlington I think. Might be worth searching out.

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/rider-who-helped-me-on-howe-hill-nye/

As I recall he posted an update a year later too. I remember as it was near me.

Cheers, made for an interesting read.

Hello, that was me!

Just off out now, but will try to remember to reply properly later. Feel free to PM me too.

I'm currently buggered again, this time I snapped my Achilles tendon playing badminton...

Which vertebrae did you fracture? T12-L1? Fixed from T11 to L2?

Sent a pm gray.

How far into this period are you WFM?  I've got a friend who fell out of the sky paragliding when his wing collapsed.  I think he spent the best part of 3 months totally immobile too.  He doesn't paraglide any more as it's not worth the risk with having a family and stuff, but he's been back biking and running for a long while now (accident was probably about 2 years ago I think).

I'm just recovering from a broken hip, which I always had to remind myself that whilst serious, there are a lot worse things that could happen.  I just had to take each day on its own.  3 months seems like miles away [a year even more]....but I broke it up, punctuated by as many little milestones to denote progress..... physio appointments, consultant appointments, finishing my heparin injections etc etc.  I wrote down everything I ate, I did the physio religiously, I was just totally focussed on doing everything I could to help it heal.  I think/hope I am now reaping the benefits of doing the physio to the letter, as touch wood my recovery seems to be on an exponential curve of improvement.  I'm still not yet back on the bike outside....

It's easier said than done, but you just have to relax, do what is within your control to improve your progress, get into a routine, the time will pass and you'll bike again.

I fractured a couple of vertebrae nearly two years ago now. The main delay I had with getting back to biking etc. was the loss of strength and problems with my legs giving out which took a long time to get over.

So last summer I got back on the xc bike to ride some fireroads and a few months later was hitting gentle dh trails. With the pain in my back I actually found my old skool xc hardtail the most comfy bike with it's long stem and low front end. It put a lot of my weight through my arms (which I'd been able to excercise fairly well while laid up) rather than my arse.

I was proper shitting it for a while there with the weakness and falling over but somehow ignored the gnawing dread and kept hopeful (Nintendo and alcohol helped). I'm not back up to scratch yet and sometimes feel like it's never coming back but am working at it. Patience is your friend.

but I broke it up, punctuated by as many little milestones to denote progress….. physio appointments, consultant appointments, finishing my heparin injections etc etc.

This is an excellent approach to take, as it is very common (among my patients at least!) to compare their progress with people who are less seriously injured (or even not injured at all!) and become disheartened. However focussing on your own progress, using reliable objective metrics, will reveal weekly improvement and therefore deliver a morale boost instead of demoralising!

I wrote down everything I ate, I did the physio religiously, I was just totally focussed on doing everything I could to help it heal.  I think/hope I am now reaping the benefits of doing the physio to the letter, as touch wood my recovery seems to be on an exponential curve of improvement.  I’m still not yet back on the bike outside….

This^^^ . Patients who engage with rehab the most progress the most, every time! 🙂

After 5.5 years recovering from ****ing my ankle (minor in comparison I know) with at least 18 months of that in bed or on crutches I would suggest trying an eBike.

It lets you ride like you used to without being as fit or strong. Riding a normal bike can be really depressing as you can see exactly how crap your riding is now compared to before.

Also, you do actually get fit riding the electric bike and your body gets used to pedalling again and being in the right position without undue strain.

Great for rehab

I've emailed wait me, but just for the record (anyone who happens upon this thread in the future) I'd echo the good advice above. I was initially concentrating entirely on the long term outcome. I found it quite easy to accept that I'd be out of action for a while and had some work and pain ahead, but I wanted to know what exactly I was working towards. I wanted to know how quickly I'd be walking how quickly I'd be biking, whether I'd be able to ride a racey road bike, whether I'd have limitations or long term pain issues. Nobody could tell me, but that didn't stop me ordering a new helmet from my hospital bed.

Soon enough though, once I actually had stuff to do then it was easier and better to focus on the immediate goals. Sitting upright for half an hour. Shuffling all the way to the door of my room with a zimmer frame. Going to the loo myself, getting released, walking around the block with crutches (Strava!), doing two laps, getting on the turbo, doing a full hour, first ride outside, etc. etc.

Definitely do exactly as you are told physio-wise. I'm now a regular pilates-ist, which is definitely good. When my surgeon finally discharged me properly he said "Take up pilates and do it for the rest of your life. Swim too, preferably crawl. Don't come back." Earlier in that appointment (this was follow up after having the metalwork removed) he said something like "you should be fine to get back on your bike", and I said "erm, I might have just got back from the Colorado Rockies.. " 🙂

Oh and WCA, I saw the pictures of your ankle and I don't think that's minor at all! I've recently snapped my Achilles, and having an ankle out of action is a real pain in the arse. Crutches are fun for a day but then they suck donkey balls! At least after a few weeks I could shuffle about in my back brace. You've got my sympathy, that's for sure.

Back injuries vary widely. I’ve spoken to people who cracked vertebrae playing rugby and were back to normal in a couple of months, but it doesn’t always pan out that way. I shattered a vertebra (L1, burst fracture) 26 years ago and was temporarily paralysed from the waist down. Like you, I had metalwork and a body cast, along with a bone graft to rebuild the vertebra. Some time scales:

- around six weeks: carefully riding a Dutch roadster (in body cast) due to not being able to walk properly.

- around three months: body cast removed.

- year one: still invalided, but doing gentle utility cycling.

- year two: getting better. Fitted BMX handlebar and stumpneck stem to an urban mountain bike to give Dutch roadster riding position (bolt upright, with the emphasis on bolts).

- year four: metalwork removed due to constant pain. Made a big difference. Longer recreational rides.

- year six: able to ride time trials (not especially well).

- year ten: proper mountain biking.

- today: any riding really, including XC racing and TTing. Don’t road race due to fear of being taken down on tarmac by other riders and ending up paralysed (again).

Can’t run, can’t jump, can’t pick up heavy things. Am also about 1cm shorter. Still got some nerve damage but regular swimming keeps the back pain at bay. Chances are you will be back riding. Take it one step at a time. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do. Best of luck.