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Effect of broken transverse processes?

About 15 years ago I was hit by an automobile while walking.  I ended up with a subdural hematoma which was successfully drained.  I recollect also being advised that I had several transverse processes which were broken off (or perhaps just fractured).  I had no specific treatment for this.  In subsequent years, I have been subject to fairly serious lower back pain on a number of occassions.  I understand that different muscles or ligaments attach to the processes.
If one or more processes were broken off, could this be a source of my back problems, and is it treatable.  I have had one medical person advise me that I should NOT do sit-ups and certain other abdominal exercises.  Does this make sense?
Thanks for your help.
Joe
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Avatar universal
I know this is an older post but wanted to add my comment to it as well.  In 2014 I was involved in a wreck involving polytrauma.  One of the set of injuries I sustained was Fracture of 5-10 Transverse Processes and a wedging (compression fracture) of T6.  It is now September 2016 and T6 is still nonunion.  

I have enormous back pain which which varies from my mid-lower back to the entire length of my back.  Sometimes it feels like my spinal cord is throbbing (though it may not be my spinal cord just the best description I can give) from my tailbone all the way under my skull.  I notice an increase in pain if I do anything for too long or remain in place for too long and then go to move (walking, sitting, standing, laying on one side, etc).

I also broke ribs 2-11 on the Right side with Flail Chest Lung Contusions and Pneumothorax and Hemothorax.  I have since had ribs 5-10 plated (some are still nonunion under plates).

The pain is always there, despite NSAIDS and Narcotics.  The best relief I get is in water (pool) or from Tens Unit....IBU is contraindicated for Bone Growth trauma surgeon told me so haven't taken that for well over a year now.

I guess I am learning what the long term affects of polytrauma are.

I also was diagnosed with Neurogenic Bladder and Shattered Scapula (eventually repaired surgically for Scapula) Anyone else with similar issues?

Feel free to message me with questions.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I know this post is super old but I am so happy to finally find someone with the exact same problems as me. I was involved in a really bad car accident 3 months ago and broke my L5 transverse process. I was pretty much on bedrest for 2months to let the bone heal I went to physical therapy, massages, pain management, and even a custom made brace to wear. I thought I was better because I was finally mobile again I went to work and I'm a nurse so I work crazy hours and a lot of movement my pain came back as it felt at the beginning with my lower back hurting, right side of my pelvic bone, I get spasms and worst of all I get a shooting pain down my right leg midway from my knee and up my back. My MRI two weeks ago came back normal. I don't understand how if I'm having all these symptoms and now I'm still working but just working half shifts because it hurts if I stand for to long or sit, or lay, or walk! I have to be constantly changing positions! Please let me know what type of treatment you guys have had! My primary care doctor believes I should be fully healed and have no pain by now. I think she thinks that I am making this up but after reading your comments it was a reassurance that I'm not making this up!! It's true pain!
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
im in a similar situation. scoliosis and had a ct scan recently revealing an ununited fracture of L3 transverse process. constant back pain and doctors, centrelink specialists treating me as if im making it all up. they just want me to overdose on opiates so im no longer taking up resources they could be using. im nothing but a burden to society and should no longer exist
Oh my gosh, burden2society.  I sure hope that isn't true, hon.  Scoliosis can definitely cause lots of pain.  They just want to give you pain pills and not treat you?  
Avatar universal
Hey guys I broke off the L2-L5 transverse processes when I was working under the table for some people now I have constant pain they were broke off right next to spine doctors acted like it was nothing I don't know what I can possibly do about the pain can anyone help. Have two small kids sole custody I need to be better or at least manageable
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Reading your post has reassured me that this is true pain and that I am not making this up! I get that shooting stabbing pain that goes up my back and done my leg. Have you received any treatment or what does your doctor say?? My MRI came back normal, but I know there is something wrong.
Avatar universal
I broke L1-4 13 years ago. Followed all medical advice but tried to ignore it and live. Injections gave 3 days relief. Finally medication Target 20-10 (morphine) gives relative relief. But lately pain has been relentless. Aged 73 now. Hope everyone reports their good news.
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Avatar universal
I had a very high fall in May, broke transverse process L1-4 (all displaced fractures) and had a large hematoma and retro peritoneal tear all along the same area, left side entire back flank, needed a spleen and pancreas repair shattered the base of my thumb that connects to my wrist, my entire back flank and lumbar is in constant pain... I'm seeing my Dr about it this week, but I feel like the pain is never going to get better. To the point where surgery doesn't even scare me if it means relief. Hope you feel better soon... It's very hard. Sending you all support.
Helpful - 0
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Hi Evmar!
I have displaced tranveses process from L2 to L5. I hit my back on the reef when I was surfing. It was a 1 month ago. I'm struggling to see an specialist, but I'm living in Australia and here is so difficult make an appointment because I'm a foreign. I'd like to know what is the treatment? Surgery? Physiotherapy? Thanks for share your experience. I wish all the best!
Avatar universal
Hi biscotti73,

I broke L1 and L2 transverse processes and I have pain in left pelvis above my hip just like you described. Doctors say it is a radiated pain. But I am not sure. How did yours end? I would really apperciate your answer.
Thank you in advance


Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please let me know if you found a relieve for pain and your treatment??? You can look at my comment below and read my story!
Avatar universal
I recently broke 4 of my lumbar processes.  Can you tell me where your pain was?  I have swelling extreme tenderness at fracture site but most intense pain in my pelvis above my left buttock like being electroctued. It travels to my hip down to my knee.  I think I have a seperate issue there but xrays of hip/pelvis showed nothing.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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2 Comments
Hi I know this is an old post but I just had a recent injury with the same pain you described.  Can you tell me what your healing process was and how long it lasted? My email is ***@****

Thank you!
I have that same radiating sharp jolting pain that goes down my leg and up my back but my MRI came back normal! I don't know how if I'm having horrible pain 3 months later after breaking my L5 transverse process. Have you had any treatments?
Avatar universal
I broke all the lumbar transverse processes on the right side and most on the left side with a fracture dislocation of the l4 l5.  I feel great, fused 3 years ago.  Thanks a lot doc
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please let me know if you found a relieve for pain and your treatment??? You can look at my comment below and read my story!
Avatar universal
I broke left l1 and l2 tv completely off .  I have a piece in my vertebral foramen at l4-5, and a piece apparently stuck to the outside of my aortoiliac artery.  I've gone through 5 mri and 3D ct video disks and the missing pieces are not attached to the ligament.  I don't care about the piece in my gut..., but should I do something about the one in my eqina?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
25 years ago I broken 4 transverse processes as a result of wrecking my motorcycle. All on my right side.  At the same time I broke 6 ribs on the same side, punctured lung, etc. I've healed for the most part, but have developed scoliosis (curvature of the spine). This has resulted in a spinal fusion that I deeply regret.  I very recently figured out the cause. Some very important muscles run from the hip to the transverse process. Breaking the transverse process create an imbalance that in time can cause scoliosis. If you have the same condition and are developing scoliosis, I offer the following caution - DO NOT LET A SURGEON FUSE YOU before looking into Scroth method of exercising. I'm confident this is helping me. Its certainly helping my pain.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please let me know if you found a relieve for pain and your treatment??? You can look at my comment below and read my story!
Avatar universal
Hi i have had 2 fractures of the ribs in the transvers process, on the left in ribs 2 and 3, after 2 years of not healing and having enough of the pain, i have seen a surgion in st vincents private, sydney who elected to do suregery on me never been done before, he remover the transvers process and did bone grafts, one year on and i have improved quite alot the rehabilitation process took a long time due to not knowing how the body would respond but after 6mths i am off pain relief completely and only very rairly have pain, but panadole or codein helps
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please let me know if you found a relieve for pain and your treatment??? You can look at my comment below and read my story!
Avatar universal
I to had three cervical transverse processes broken off.  I was told at the time that these would never heal.  Additionally I had bi-lateral jumped facets (dislocated/broken neck) at c6-c7 that led to a spinal cord injury and nerve root lesions.  My brachial plexus was also damaged.  This has caused constant muscle spasms in the left side of the neck, shoulder, back.  Although I have an intrathecal baclofen/morphine pump I still have upper back spasms and isolated spasms in the neck that the pump doesn't offer total relief for.

Of course my ongoing PT (10 years) involves trying to touch my ear to shoulder.  This stretching generally causes more pain in the levator scapula high in the neck where the broken transverse processes are.

Are the broken transverse processes causing this increased pain in my neck, keeping in mind that these are not new exercises?  
Helpful - 0
940391 tn?1255755376
Oh yeah, my hemotoma is still there, discoloration is gone, but a hand sized mass of tissue and a lil bit of pressure felt stabbing felt when touched even lightly. Drs dont even address this, as it stuns them....
Helpful - 0
940391 tn?1255755376
Hi! I , too, have broken off 7 trans process'. They are nonunions and will never reattactch, as its been 6 yrs. I was ejected from my Jeep, wearing a seatbelt, thru a fiberglass roof.

I too, have severe mid-lower back pain where they broke off. Also, the ribs that attatched to those vertebrea are also nonunions (Ibroke all 12 ribs on rt side), 6 nonunion ribs to be exact. Im interested, did u also have broken ribs in that area? Im in pain management, taking handfuls of pills daily and drs want to do cryoblation, but I dont feel I have nerve pain, but bone pain....Whats ur thoughts?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please let me know if you found a relieve for pain and your treatment??? You can look at my comment below and read my story!
Avatar universal
Thank you for help.
Regards, Joe
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

How are you?
Yes it quite possible that the back pain that you have is due to fracture of transverse processes in the lumbar region.
Generally the treatment of fracture transverse processes is conservative. Patients are usually advised to wear a thoracolumbar corset and participate in aerobic walking program.
Please consult your orthopedic specialist about these options. Hope it helps!

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