T5 Burst Fracture - 7-Level Thoracic Fusion (T2 - T8) - Can anyone Relate??

[twins225]

hello...i am brand new to this forum. i am having a lot of trouble finding forums with people who are in the same position as me. i will give a brief description of my injury and surgery. i have also posted this message under back problems, and it was suggested to me to try posting here as well.

my story:
i was the passenger in a near-fatal auto accident on 11.21.07. my husband walked away with a few scratches and bruises and my almost 3yr old twins made it through without a scratch! i, on the other hand, literally walked away with a broken back. i had a T5 burst fracture, a broken scapula, and several bruised and fractured ribs.

my surgical procedure consisted of a 7-level thoracic fusion (T2-T8). i am about 8 weeks post op and i am doing surprisingly well, considering my surgeons say i was a miracle...they said i should have either died or been paralyzed UPON IMPACT! i can walk effortlessly and have full use of my arms, with very little loss of range of motion. i still have some numbness in my elbow (from broken scapula) and my back is still slightly numb, generally around the incision site and my shoulder blades. but i feel great other wise and realize how truly blessed i am!!

i have been steadily doing research about my injury and my surgical procedure and i am really having a hard time finding a whole lot of information...apparently, i am a rare case??? so i am subscribing to this forum, b/c i am hoping to find someone who has had thoracic fusion or a thoracic burst fracture. i am really just looking for someone to talk to and exchange stories and progress notes.
CAN ANYONE RELATE???

thanks
rebecca

[GratefullyAlive]

Hello Rebecca

Perhaps my experience will be of some help.  Toward the end of September 2007 I had a tumor removed from t5, and t3 through t7 were fused.

It's now Feb. 7, and I'm still having a good deal of sorness between my shoulder blades, over the surgical area.  Aside from a few thorn-like sensations over my spine, I feel fairly normal when I get up in the morning, but it gets worse during the day.

Reclining in a soft chair which fits my form gives me immediate relief.  NSAID's and a hot pad also help.

Frank

[sunsetbeachwalker]

Hi Rebecca, Glad you seem to be coping as well as you are. With your children being so little, I'm especially happy you lived through the wreck!

Can you carry your little ones? I'm sorry it happened to you so young. I was 52 when it happened to me 6 years ago February.

Unfortunately I can't make you feel better, I came across this forum because of unrelenting pain that is really bad today.

I too was in a near death accident. Drs told my family similar stuff. I also had my face destroyed, badly bruised everywhere. I was thrown through a window in a high-speed rollover. I died several times, and had wonderful NDE's.

Drs told my family to prepare for the fact that either I'd die, be brain-dead, and/or paralyzed.

I basically had one thought - when I finally could think - and that was, "This situation is unacceptable!" Had a trach, so couldn't talk. Also couldn't move, see or hear for 2 weeks while the drs waited for me to be stable enough to live through a back surgery. I was a mess. Every single bone in my face was fractured. The entire right side was pulverized including my eye, nose and jaw.  

Six long and very difficult years later, physically and emotionally, and 20 facial reconstruction surgeries later, I'm as ok as I'm going to get.

My back is similar to yours. T 3, 5 & 7 burst fractures. Entire thoracic spine fused, rods from C6 to waist.

Because of the fusion and rods bolted onto my ribs, when my back hurts alot, the pain wraps around to my chest. All I can do is lay down.

I don't do drugs because I researched them, and my opinion of them was confirmed. They do more harm than good in the long run. While in the hospital, though, I was very anxious and thankful for that next dose of morphine.

I find the only way to conquer pain is to occupy myself as deeply as possible with other things - than when my body can't take it any more, I just collapse. Sometimes I think I'll pass out from the pain, but so far I haven't - I'll lay down anywhere when I have to.

I'm very happy I can walk, but I can't carry anything on my shoulders, not even a small bag. I've therefore created other ways to carry my photo gear around.

I can only sit in a recliner. If you don't have one, I suggest thrift stores. In my moves over these past years, I've always been able to find one wherever I lived.

My pain is mostly red-hot, and feels like I have steel rods in my back - which I do. I can't tolerate temps below 75 - my back goes into spasm.

I used to hike, camp, and go on adventures. I was a photojournalist. Life as I knew it ended that February day. I was bedridden for most of a year unless I wore a 'turtle-shell' which was better than laying around all the time.

Like Frank, I also have sometimes debilitating pain between my shoulder blades. A hot pad sometimes helps me as well.

Life sure can hand us challenges - and that's putting it mildly, eh?

good luck to you, you're in my prayers,
Suzanne

ps I keep busy thanks to my laptop - my biggest savior besides my doctors and family.

[halibut109]

Hi Rebecca,
I came across this site this morning and came across your comments. I have four broken ribs that are displaced on my right rear side. I Have been seeing my rheumatologist and have been getting by with precription pain meds. Its been four weeks and there is the same amount of pain. I am curious as to your fusion procedure. This has not been brought up by my doctor so any info. can be a help I'm, sure. I hope maybe he can refer me to the right type of specialist.Glad you are doing good and I'll pray for your continued healing.

Take Care,

Ed

[babygrlissa8713]

I was doing an internet serch about my surgery and injuries and I came across your postings on multiple sites.  I am blown away at your story because it is almost identicle to mine.  I had a car accident in 11/07, T-5 burst with a T-2 to T-8 spinal fusion and a broken scapula.  Here is my story.  I would like to talk more with you and maybe we can be of some support for each other.



On November 14, 2007 I was in a horrific car accident.  I was driving and I came to a T in the road and just kept going straight into a cow pasture.  My car went into a farmer's trench and then flipped end over end several times before landing on it's roof. I do not remember my accident.  I woke up about three days later in an ICU after one of my surgeries.  I spent 14 days in the hospital.  Six days in ICU and eight days in the trauma unit.  

About my injuries:  I experienced a T-5 burst fracture (I broke my back), I broke my left scapula, I broke several ribs, and my sternum.  I ruptured my spleen, punctured my lung, and devascularized my left kidney (it does not function anymore, it died).

About my surgeries:  I had a T-2 to T-8 spinal fusion, with 2 Harrington rods placed.  They went three vertebraes up and three vertebraes down from my break to stableize my back.  I also had surgery on my left shoulder where they put four plates with several screws to put my scapula back together.  

I have two gnarly scars on my back~one is about 12 inches long that goes down the middle of my back and one looks like a giant "7" on my left shoulder blade.  I also have a scar under my right breast that looks like an "H" where my chest tube was.

Well, I was sooo sick after my accident.  I could not dress myself or shower.  My grandma had to take care of me and my three children.  I was taking 40mg of OxyContin everyday, 15mg of Oxycodone every three hours and 5mg of Valium every six hours.  I vomitted all day long everyday.  I lost 35 pounds in about two months.  All I did for about four months is sit in a recliner and sleep.  My grandma would wake me up for the numerous doctor appointments I had scheduled.  I had severe social anxiety.  I could not go anywhere for longer than 45 minutes without freaking out.  

It has been eleven months since my accident.  I am almost all of the way healed.  I do have some residual pain and soreness in my shoulder (especially when I wake up in the morning), I get some pain and stiffness in my upper back near the top of my rods in the evening, and I do have a burning or shocking sensation right at T-5 where my vertebrae burst.  

I feel like my accident really hurt me emotionally as well.  I feel like I have lost everything that I had ever worked for, including my personallity and my self-esteem.  My hair fell out and got very thin.  My hair dresser said it was because of the anesthesia from my surgeries.  I had to cut it very short.

Melissa

[Wizadora]

I fell down the steps 3 weeks ago. And had a burst fracture to t5. My lower back is now hurting so bad i cant walk. My feet are numb and i feel twisted. I am not doing as well as you all. But you give me some hope.

Tiffany

[babygrlissa8713]

SO sorry to hear about your accident.  DId you have surgery to fix your burst fracture?  Because everyone I know with a burst fracture has had to have a spinal fusion with some kind of hardware placed holding them together.  I can tell you this...when I first broke my back, I was on so many pain pills.  I could not walk, bathe or dress myself.  I could not go to the bathroom without assistance and there was one point when I first got home from the hospital that I could not even sign my own name.  That is weird that your lower back hurts.  That *****.  But a T-5 is about where a bra strap would go around you, if you wear a bra.  :)  Anyway, back to the point...I did have many numerous other injuries and surgeries as you know from reading my post.  So, that may have hindered my recovery or prolonged it.  But literally I sat in a chair day and night for about four to five months and slept about 22 hours a day.  So if you are only three weeks out...I think you are doing great if you can make it to the computer to write this stuff.  Keep your patience.  I am 1,000,000 times better than I was when it was only three weeks out.  I still have pain and sleepless nights, and a hard time walking more than about three city blocks, but I am able to work 40 hours per week at a desk job...I had to quit being a bedside nurse (RN) because it is too physical but I am still able to support my kids.

I hope you feel better soon.  Keep in touch.
Melissa      

[rockmaster50]

hi rebecca, i was going over your story and its remarkable how close our cases are in severity and treatment. i was recently involved in a hit and run motorcycle accident June 1st of 2008. i was found on the side of the road hours later and was rushed to the hospital. 2wks had gone by in the hospital before i had even retained a solid memory of the incident. i had a c2 burst fracture, t4 burst fracture, left clavicle fracture , left humurus fracture, and multiple fractures in my left ankle- all resulting in surgery. i have a c1-c2 fusion, a t2-t8 fusion (2 rods running the length of the vertibrae) and rods and plates in the arm, shoulder, and ankle.

i spent a whopping 30 days in icu and another 20 in rehabilitation. a total of 6weeks in the most uncomfortable halo device, had no muscle control of my right leg (due to nerve damage). Being only a 20 year old male with no health insurance this was an overwhelming expirience.

thankfully my parents helped me apply to medicaid and i was approved. There was one load off of my shoulder, now i still had to deal with not being able to move one leg, not being able to bear weight on the other, not being able to move my arm, neck, shoulder, and being in constant pain.

So now i had been discharged and faced going home in my new body. countless home visits by physical therapists helped me relearn how to use my leg and eventually led to walking!! well now on to residual... i going a physical rehab center three my leg seems to have peaked in performance 6 months post-op and i walk but with a profound limp. the screws holding my arm rod in came loose and i am awaiting another surgery :(. The biggest problem by far is my massive mid to upper back pain. it feels like someone is physically grabbing my spine tightly and pulling on it. i have gone up to taking 90mgs of oxycontin a day to cope and STILL i am in constant pain and cannot sleep without a high dose of ambein. all perscribed by my pcp because the pain managent center my neurolgist referred me to is "full" i was wondering if any of you have expirienced pains similar to this... i kind of want to know what i have to look forward to. dont get my wrong i am truly blessed to be alive but this pain is draining me both physically and mentally  and i would like to see if anyone has any solutions or ideas?


thanks all and good luck
kris        

[twins225]

wow!  kris you have been through so much!  i know things seem so hard right now, but at 6 months after surgery, your body still has so much to overcome.  i, luckily, have had a miraculous recovery, so i hate to rub it in.  but at 6 months, i was off of my pain meds and had just started driving again.  everyone has a different course of recovery, i know, so don't get discouraged as 6 months is still pretty early.  luckily, my shoulder healed on it's own without any repairs, so i just have the rods from t2-t8 like you.  i find my "pain" is more discomforting just below where my hardware stops, which is because that is the part of my back bearing the most stress...trying to adjust to movement and non-movement all in the same area.  i also wore a very confining back brace for 9 months (maybe you wore the same one...TLSO brace??.  matter of fact, i just went off-shore fishing last weekend and reeled in a 25# kingfish all on my own.  that was an amazing feeling!  so maybe look at my story as your inspiration of things to come..LOL!
i truly wish you well in your recovery and please feel free to contact me directly at ***@****.  hoping your new year brings you many pain-free days!!!!
rebecca

[mtrancher]

I can identify with Kris and twins225 (rebecca) following my 26' fall to a concrete floor Nov 10, 07 landing on my back, breaking 11 right ribs, sternum, scapula, burst T5 & T6 and bruises to heart, brain and lungs (1 burst & collapsed).  Titanium rods & bone grafts of T4-T7 was done on day 4.  I was a young 67 year old man and turned a much older 68 in Jan 08.

I regained my memory at 17 days, walked with much assistance in ICU about day 20.  Rehab (days 26-36) had me walking with a walker, then unassisted but oxycodone was my best friend (other than my wife, constantly there) for 4 months then I quit the meds and was able to tolerate taking nothing for pain.

My recovery has come along very well; I've tried to walk, exercycle, swim (using fins, shoulders weak) and climb stairs and work out at the YMCA whenever I can.  My pain at 4 months was along the spine & hardware, across the back, along with shoulders, abdominal muscles and tingling pain around the numb area of my back and right armpit & right breast area.

After a year the pain has subsided in all areas and strength has increased overall; the the pain is mostly still in the muscles along the spine in the area of the hardware (T4-T7) when I get tired or have been on my feet for quite a while.  These muscles feel like they are swollen and are sore to the touch.  I have wondered if similar cases have had this pain and had it go away with time; it seems like it should have healed by this time but I can't complain.

I feel blessed to have been this fortunate and far along in my recovery; I feel serious effort at physical therapy and exercise has played a big part but everyone's case is different.  There has even been significant improvement in the last couple months in how much exercise my upper body can tolerate without giving me misery at night like it did not long ago.  New aches & pains come and go over time but there has been progress whenever I look back.  I hope all of you have some of the progress I have had.

Roy

[Waltz420]

Hello,
My name is Chris 28 year old male and i have also been through a very traumatic event.  I have rods and screws from t5 to t11 and a spinal fusion of t8 and t9.  I was in a near fatal car accident in May of 08.  I fell asleep at the wheel doing about 70 on the highway.  I was ejected from the vehicle and slide across the oncoming traffic lanes on my right heel.  I nearly tore all the skin off my right rear foot.  I had a very severe burst fracture of the t8 and t9 verabrae.  Luckily there was no paralysis and i am able to walk somehow.  One of my Drs told me to go play the lottery.  I also collapsed both lungs(chest tubes are not fun), broke 10 ribs, broke my clavicle, and had many lacerations to my face and bruises all over my body.  It has been 9 months or so i am doiing PT with my sister who is a liscened therapist.  I am still in a good deal of pain but feel that the PT is making things better.  I see a pain management dr and take avinza and percocet still for the pain.  I have lately been having issues with nightmares and panic attacks.  I had not experienced any of these problems until recently.  It feels like i am still trying to get back to my old self.  I played college soccer and a little bit in the pros.  I will never be able to play at a high lever but do hope to play again in some sort.  I too have had problems finding info on my injury.  I hope that everything continues to go well for you and your recovery is complete.  I try to keep my self as busy as possible with work, i am sure your children take care of that for you.  If anyone else out there has had a similar situation i would love to talk or hear about it.  Keep your head up and just keep moving forward life stops for no one.  Have a great one and i look forward to reading more posts

[pete04165]

My surgery was June 2008. I am 17 mths post op T7-8 herniated disc surgery. Was in pain for 8 years. Went from dr to dr then I paid for a private MRI and found the problem!!  I am still in tremendous wrap around rib cage pain. I have done everything. Prolotherapy, acupuncture, pain meds (no more!) Naturopathic care and of course several times a week yoga and pilates. I am 44 with 3 kids ages 6, 8, and 10. Everyday is a struggle and I pray for a cure. I don't read any success stories!  Why? I continue to have hope and do my research karen in vancouver canada

[twins225]

hi pete.  i haven't updated here in a while so i apologize.
in a few weeks it will be 2 years since my accident and injuries.
i am happy to say that i AM a success story!  i am a very rare case.  i actually had all of my hardware removed in march of this year, leaving my t4 and t5 permamently fused.  i haven't needed in pain medication in several months.  i can for the most-part enjoy normal daily activites.  i can even go offshore fishing!  i don't work, and i can't see going back as i still can't sit or stand for long periods of time.  so i am able to rest when i need to at home, so maybe that is key.  but i realize staying home isn't an option for everyone.
before i had my hardware removed...i had NO movement in my thoracic spine and it caused a lot of discomfort.  i also did accupuncture and massage, which worked, but i had to do it religiously.  in january, the doctor realized the many of my screws were growing outside of the vertebrae and pushing on my lungs.  my fusion was solid at that point, so we decided to go for it and get it all out of there!  best thing i ever did!
i hope that you will find some relief in the future.  you can read all about my accident, injuries, and recovery on our blog: http://twins225.blogspot.com
best of luck,
rebecca