Hi - Rider down but hopes to recover ??

[mtrhead]

Hi,
My name is John, I broke my back on April 4th it was a T12 burst fracture with NO PARALYSIS...I'm very lucky and very grateful. I did this playing hockey believe it or not, not riding my bike.

I couldn't really find the right place to post this question. So I'm posting it here. I think it belongs in the spinal forum

My question Do you know of people that have had T12 burst fractures and returned to ride again ? I'm in a brace for at least 12 weeks and I'm sure its going to be 6 - 12 months to recover.

Ive done tons of searches on the net only to find the other side of this injury (paralysis). Nothing about returning to sports/bikes

Thanks
John

[KTMissouri]

John:

I am glad you found our web site. You might post that in the doctor referral section. Dr. Sanders, who is an orthopedic surgeon stops by here from time to time. He is over in the injured riders section of ktmtalk.com on almost a daily basis.

I really don't think that I can offer any advice. Doc Sanders is a doctor and I rider and that helps with good advice. Most docs just tell us to quit riding.

You can find him directly at sandersclinic.net.

[gsxr1100]

John,
my husband broke C4, 5 & 6 burst fractures back in 1988 and he thank god is like yourself very lucky. He ride till this day. Not to say I don't worry but once riding is in your blood it is there to stay. I hope this gives you a little bit of comfort in knowing you will be back soon to riding and being yourself. Hope everything goes well. Good luck

[GaMotoGirl]

John,

You're in my thoughts and prayers. I have learned throughout many injuries from playing hockey, riding, whatever... that your doctor will always err on the side of caution and tell you to not ride ir race again. But their opinions are based on human assumptions. The road may not easy, it may not be smooth or straight... but there IS a road to what you want in life. I have to remind myself of that when I get frustrated with my injury.

But if you continue to seek out peers and therapists who have the same love of the sport as you, you will find your way back.

[mtrhead]

Hi -
Thanks for the replies ! I feel very blessed that I'm ok. I've been posting on the KTM site and a MTB site about the injury and I've found I'm not alone by anymeans. I have a whole new respect for handicap people in general its something that you can't feel until you've been close and scared. Scared is probably the best word for someone who is ok now.
Short update -
5 weeks out now I'm wearing a turtle brace (like a bodycast) -
- walking 90% of the full day -
- back to work
- Starting to ride the stationary bike and possibly the elliptical this week
- getting a new suspension MTB ready for July or Augusts therapy !
- ported a new cylinder for my Kawasaki SXR jetski !

Again thanks for all the replies -

[quad17dad]

Hi John,

Sorry to hear about you accident, but thrilled to hear that you have no paralysis. From what I learned from my son's burst fracture at C6, once the bone graph is completely healed, it's even stronger than it was originally. My son is paralyzed from the chest down, but rode a quad last weekend for the first time since his accident. His accident was in June of last year. I hate to hear stories of injuries, but glad to hear you will make a full recovery. I'll keep you in my prayers.

[mtrhead]

Update: its almost 4 years now and I wanted to say if it wasn't for the brains memory I wouldn't know I broke my back. I've been playing organized hockey, racing skis, and riding my bikes with no issues. I know when this happened I did alot of internet searching only find everything gloom and doom. Hopefully somebody in my condition will see that you can fully recover. Thanks for all the support