Chronic T3-T4 compression fracture pain

[nurseorange]

I sustained a T3-T4 compression fracture in a single vehicle rollover / ejection in 1982.  After years of pain medication and 2 unsuccessful epidural injections, it may now be time for a new treatment. I have been seeing a Pain Specialist Doctor for 4 years and with the increase in medication tolerance and the 2 unsuccessful epidural injections, He says that recently he has had success in treating chronic compression fractures with KYPHOPLASTY. I work as a Registered Nurse in Radiology and have seen numerous vertebralplastys and Kyphoplastys, but they have all been on acute compression fractures. Is there anyone with any current information on these procedures on Chronic compression fractures? I am actually scheduled for Kyphoplasty for both T3 & T4 on Dec. 20, 2007. Any information will be greatly appriciated..............Thank You

[Jaimelml]

I've a t3-t4 compression fracture in 2007 over a 4wd-bike accident. Experienced extreme pain and was practically bedridden for 2 months. Couldn't sit nor stand for more than 30 mins and had to live with a backbrace minus the time I showered. I was unable to lift anything and it proved immense pain just shifting a slight bit on the bed. But after 3 months, I trained myself to slowly shake off the brace. Now and then I still experience nagging aches at the spot when I bend forward for too long or strain my upper body while carrying heavy objects but I've been practicing yoga for 4 years and it does help to strengthen my upper body muscles to give better support. Hope it helps for u as well.

[bepster]

I'm new I was involved in a accident (rollover) on 12/24/2013. I was unconcious for about 5 minutes according to my wife and had to be cut out of the car. I have a T3,T4 compression fracture fractured sternum, fractured collarbone, concussion, and ligament damage in my neck and spine. I also have bulged discs in L3,4, 5 from 2007. I was placed in a back brace with cervical immobilization which I could remove to shower and i had to sleep on my back with a cervical collar. I just saw my neuro he asked what my job was, I told him I work in EMS. He said oh thats a pretty strenuous job. Well you can get rid of the brace and collar and I'll see you in March .And you can go back to work after that. I have alot of pain in my back, shoulders, arm and hands. I can hardly turn my neck, plus my lower back is aggrivated now and I have pain down both legs. I don't feel confident that I can safely do my job that soon.

[aimhigh4once]

I know you haven't posted in a few years, but I am concerned.  I was wondering why you are not on a muscle relaxer.  When you have pain even in the spinal area and nerves the pain can cause you to tense and have more pain.  I suggest at the minimum flexeral.  I was looking for information on T4 compression fractures since my brother in law was in a diving accident.  He is experiencing a lot of pain.  I am now quite concerned.  Thank you for the information you left and I hope you are doing better.

[skeetelmore65]

Hi guys, I haven't found any solution and still going to NL and NS to try to find any kind of answer to what I can do to at least get this pain to a minimal to where I can have some life. I suffer all the time. I am having to take a Fentany Patch(75mcg),Norco10/325 for breakthrough and xanax for spasms/tremors. This last NL that I have gone to has seemed to be at least wanting to help me more than that of the other NL or NS. I just don't understand. I went in just having to have a ruptured petrusion fixed(C5-C6) and come out with:DDD of Cervical,Lumbar,and Hip/Joint, and Spinal Stenosis,Myofascial Pain Syndrome,Spondylosis,Cervicalgia and Fibro. I don't understand that the NS that did my surgery failed to even tell me that after my surgery and I went to the guy for 9 out of 11 mos of the same year, is that I have a T3-T4 comp.fract. and now when I went to get disability Ins. bc I haven't been able to work since March of '04 that I have a CHIARI MALFORMATION TOO!! Man, this sometimes is just too much. This NL that I am going to now seems to think that I have Migraine to...to just add to that long list of things wrong w/me. Do u believe that the Mayo Clinic thinks that I am tooooo Chronic to be seen by them. That is pretty bad, but I am not going to give up. I had an episode the other night so I called him and told him @ it. I had this pain down in my lower back, right above my butt and it hurt so bad that I put my head back on my stack of pillows and closed my eyes and put my hands over my eyes too. I could see like a strobe light going off inside. I thought oh no..I am having a stroke or something now. It seemed more like if you throw a rock into water and the ripples you get, but it was in my eyes. Now, I just switched my meds, but that has been since the 22nd of Feb. Do u think that I would just now be getting that to happen to me. At first, when I switched from Lyrica to Neurontin,that night, I felt better. My head felt clearer. I know it seemed to fast, but it did. Now, the days that followed and I will say just 3 or 4 I would see things coming at me and I was itching...bad.,but I stick it out bc I hated the Lyric. I gained 80+ on it and wanted to try something else. He also has me on Topamax and that could be the culprit since it has eye problems associated w/it. Yes, a small percentage has lose their sight and I am saying 1% or 2. I was willing to give it a try bc of all of the weight lose assoc. w/it.

So, You guys tell me ur story and let's see if we can get anywhere in this battle. I just want to have a life like u do. It is so hard sometimes. I burn now everywhere. I don't know what a brain scan is and that is what my NL wants to do Fri. He wants me to come right back in. That tells me that he is thorough and I am so glad. Can u believe the last doc told me that he reached his resource limit. I know that Obama has put a cap on how many tests that are run and it's like 1,2,3 and if u don't get a dx by then...that is it.

I wish the best 4 u guys and hope that I see a post so I can see what u have to say @ all this. Write me back and let me know how yall are doing okay?
Take care and always...GOD BLESS  Karen

[AndyProg]

Hi! I have had almost the same experience as you do. I had a c4-c5 ACD& F and after 6 months I had fallen during mountain biking. Now 1.5 years later I found out that I had a fracture at the T4 vertebrae. I have extreme pain and I feel like cut in half with pain radiating to my right shoulder blade as you do and cracking all the time when I move. I also have some small herniations at the T3-T4 and T4-T5 Did you find any solution to your problem? I am thinking to treat the herniations with chemonucleolysis with Ozone first and see if this does any good.
All the doctors that I have seen including my neurosurgeon are not willing to take any chances by surgery but I am 28 years old and I cannot live for the rest of my life like this. Thanks for your reply! Hope you have found a solution to your problem because I understand what you are going through...and it seems we have a very similar situation!

[Geemommy3]

Just wondering if you ever had anything done with your problem? I was in a single vehicle roll over on June 18, 2016. I was the only on hurt that God. My neck and back broke. My C5&C6 was broke badly and had to have surgery. I had compression fractures to my T2,T3,&T4. My surgery on my neck went beautifully and no problems or barely pain since big my back has been causing me pain. Oh btw I was 28 when it happen 11 days later turned 29. It kills me to sneeze, cough, or really do anything at all. My right arm hurts all the time. I want to do stuff but my back holds me down. I have 3 kids that need their mom and I can't live like this. I am waiting on my Doctor with a MRI but was just wondering what might have happened with you if you don't mind to share. I so miserable. Thank you and God Bless.

[skeetelmore65]

Thought I'd say one more thing maybe you'd see the number change on ur board and it is important..I had 3 ESI's and on the third one I jumped on table like the doctors were trying to revive me instead of give me the procedure. Have u ever heard of someone getting nerve fiber damage from those Inj.? I truly believe I was injured since I was numb immediately in my hands and feet right then and there..The doc after I raised my head and asked what was that?...said w/a studder that it was .."Friction"...Do u know anything @ it? He kept me and the nurse I remember said while I was on the table or asked I should say...Why is he going through her T's when all her trouble is in her C's..I am so frustrated and just want to know in what direction to turn to. I have two boys that need me so badly,so if u can help I would be so appreciative..I pray that u have the pain relief by now and hope soon I can be there...if so...Take care.. Thank YOU...

[skeetelmore65]

I sure hope it will work since I am dealing w/same thing. I do have a T3-T4 compressed fractured vertebrea and hurt severly.I have had a ACD & F on C5-C6 Feb.'06 and was fine until 3 mos. later I decided to help parents and mow lawn(riding) and then fell while straddling hammock. Could this be the problem that the screws came loose or moved or can it be the fractue of T3-T4 that is causing all the pain.My shoulders,arms and hands hurt.I was recently dx w/carpel tunnel in both hands..is this possible since I haven't worked since '04? I am @ at my wits end w/pain and meds are ridiculus(fentanyl patch 50mcg,Norco 10/325,Lyrica 150mg,Zanax 1mg.(usually half at time...careful..too much med for pain,but it is so severe don't know what to do..can u help in any way..I would appreciate it so much...

I am so sorry for ur accident..I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone or anything...My Neuro that did surgery told me that my surgery was ok..and this was @ 2 mos. ago,but he isn't going to own up to that...that would put him in a sit. don't u think?  Well, I just pray that we both get the help we are looking for...I didn't realize this was an old post you'll prob. never see this..I hope that u do in some way I will pray that u do ....maybe then I can come to a conclusion in some way..GOD BLESS...    ***@****