Broken neck and back
- Thread starter Pumpkin the robot
- Start date
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OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
Got a letter from the hospital today and it seems I have non-union of the spinous process fractures. How long are they supposed to take to join together?
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Might need fusing, but that's not too bad, guy I used to drink with had that done after a rugger clonk, he reckoned it was OK but no more rugby (prop forward, old school big guy)
classic33
Leg End Member
classic33
Leg End Member
@Martin Archer, sorry for hijacking & derailing your thread.
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
I sill have nonunion, so I am off work for another month. I went out on the bike a couple of times last week against doctors orders and my legs have gone! Any gradient and I was struggling. I am finding it difficult to hold my head up all the time to see where I am going and for that reason will not be going out on the bike until I have done some exercises to strengthen the core and neck.
I now have the report from the independant doctor and there is nothing new in it, he wants me to see someone about my memory loss (still no better) and wants to see me again in 9 months to see how I have healed in the long term. I have no endurance at the moment. I dont feel too bad in myself, but even walking around for a couple of hours leaves me with aching shoulders. Next week a woman is coming to see me from a company that specialises in getting people back to work, Hopefully she can come up with something that will help speed the process up.
I now have the report from the independant doctor and there is nothing new in it, he wants me to see someone about my memory loss (still no better) and wants to see me again in 9 months to see how I have healed in the long term. I have no endurance at the moment. I dont feel too bad in myself, but even walking around for a couple of hours leaves me with aching shoulders. Next week a woman is coming to see me from a company that specialises in getting people back to work, Hopefully she can come up with something that will help speed the process up.
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
I know it's frustrating but don't try to rush things. I found exactly the same when I got back on a bike with regards to the lack of endurance and hill climbing ability. It will come back when you are able to get back cycling again though it won't happen immedately.
For the aching after a couple hours walking around thing, firstly your body is still putting itself back together. That takes a lot of the spoons you have just to do that, so you will feel more tired. Secondly, are you carrying yourself differently while the injuries are having to recover? I had issues with aches in my shoulder and upper back muscles when walking round after my op. It was because the muscles I was using to hold the arm up were different ones to normal and they weren't used to the work they were having to do.
Good luck with the recovery, and I hope you are back on two wheels soon.
For the aching after a couple hours walking around thing, firstly your body is still putting itself back together. That takes a lot of the spoons you have just to do that, so you will feel more tired. Secondly, are you carrying yourself differently while the injuries are having to recover? I had issues with aches in my shoulder and upper back muscles when walking round after my op. It was because the muscles I was using to hold the arm up were different ones to normal and they weren't used to the work they were having to do.
Good luck with the recovery, and I hope you are back on two wheels soon.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Good luck with your recovery, Martin!
I took quite a long time to get back on my bike after my illness - 8 months - but I got a lot of my endurance back through walking. I went from having to rest after walking down one flight of stairs, to power-walking up a steep hill and back down again (a 4 mile round trip).
I listened to what my body was telling me, trying harder when I felt able to, and resting as required. I upped the distance, frequency and speed of the walks in a steady progression. When I finally got back on my bike, I was able to do (very slow!) hilly 20 mile rides almost immediately.
I don't have any experience of neck rehab, but my approach certainly worked well for my legs and cardio-vascular system.
I took quite a long time to get back on my bike after my illness - 8 months - but I got a lot of my endurance back through walking. I went from having to rest after walking down one flight of stairs, to power-walking up a steep hill and back down again (a 4 mile round trip).
I listened to what my body was telling me, trying harder when I felt able to, and resting as required. I upped the distance, frequency and speed of the walks in a steady progression. When I finally got back on my bike, I was able to do (very slow!) hilly 20 mile rides almost immediately.
I don't have any experience of neck rehab, but my approach certainly worked well for my legs and cardio-vascular system.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
I'm nearly a year 'in' with the leg (which has now united) but its a long road yet to normality, just keep at it and good luck.
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
Quick update: I have seen the report done by the company that have been assigned to get me back to work, They are predicting a return to work between Januruary and April of next year. They have outlined a plan of things to be done but everything is being held up because they do not know if the bones have joined. I am waiting for an MRI scan and an appointment to see the specialist again. I have been waiting 5 weeks now and despite chasing it up, I seem to be no nearer.
The solicitor has secured a couple of interim payments to partially cover my wages and he is now going to try to get them every month, so at least the financial side of things is getting better, He is also going to ask them to pay for all the stuff that was damaged in the accident asap.
I am being referred to a neurologist because of the memory problems, occasional numbness in my shoulders and tingling in my fingers.
I have good and bad days with my fitness, I try to keep active, I have started to do more walking when I can but some days I just feel too tired to do anything. Its just under 5 months since the accident but that seems a very long time ago!
The solicitor has secured a couple of interim payments to partially cover my wages and he is now going to try to get them every month, so at least the financial side of things is getting better, He is also going to ask them to pay for all the stuff that was damaged in the accident asap.
I am being referred to a neurologist because of the memory problems, occasional numbness in my shoulders and tingling in my fingers.
I have good and bad days with my fitness, I try to keep active, I have started to do more walking when I can but some days I just feel too tired to do anything. Its just under 5 months since the accident but that seems a very long time ago!
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
It was a big crash, unfortunately it'll take a while to recover. At least you have a target for getting back.
Good luck, and take care
Good luck, and take care
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
I went for an MRI scan yesterday to see if the bones have joined and I am waiting on the results, I should have them in a few weeks.
I have been doing aqua aerobics for a few weeks and some swimming on my back. This has helped the neck free up a bit and get everything moving.
Last week I did a couple of short rides. Its hard work at the moment! Unfortunately all my bikes have low handle bars because I have always rideen on the drops. I regret cutting all the forks down now! The main problem is the 3 frames I have that are useable are all 1" forks and getting another set of forks that have a longer steerer is proving difficult. I may end up modifying a frame to take 1 1/8" forks, at least it gives me a little project to work on!
I have been doing aqua aerobics for a few weeks and some swimming on my back. This has helped the neck free up a bit and get everything moving.
Last week I did a couple of short rides. Its hard work at the moment! Unfortunately all my bikes have low handle bars because I have always rideen on the drops. I regret cutting all the forks down now! The main problem is the 3 frames I have that are useable are all 1" forks and getting another set of forks that have a longer steerer is proving difficult. I may end up modifying a frame to take 1 1/8" forks, at least it gives me a little project to work on!
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Is it not worth getting an angled stem, might look a bit odd but it's not forever.
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
I saw the specialist yesterday and the bone has not healed. He has sent me back for another MRI scan and more x rays on the neck and also my elbow that has been causing me pain. I didn't know if any x rays had been taken of the elbow at the time of the accident (being concussed), but my lawyer confirmed that none were taken so that is a step in the right direction. I have been given the ok for the physio to start work on the soft tissue damage in the neck which is good and I asked if it was ok to ride my bike and that is ok too. Good job as I managed a 55 mile ride at the weekend (although I am still regretting it today with pain in my neck)
I am booked in to see a neurologist in March but my doctor thinks any damage to the brain should have gone within 6 months and it may be permanent. Hopefully the neurologist will be able to give more of an idea of any damage and any treatment.
I have been put on phenergan to try and help me sleep at night as I have been struggling to get a decent nights kip since the accident 6 months ago.
Overall I am happy that things are moving forward and fitness is returning but I am still a long way off the levels I had before the accident. I have dropped from 14 stone 2 on Jan 1st to 13 8 yesterday just by eating properly and cutting beer out.
The insurance company made an offer on my bike of £800 and allowing me to keep the bike, I am think that is too low. They are comparing it to a Wilier GTR with ultegra which is avialable for £1600. My bike was 3k new and had to be imported from Italy as it was not available in this country with DI2. So negotiations are on going.
I am booked in to see a neurologist in March but my doctor thinks any damage to the brain should have gone within 6 months and it may be permanent. Hopefully the neurologist will be able to give more of an idea of any damage and any treatment.
I have been put on phenergan to try and help me sleep at night as I have been struggling to get a decent nights kip since the accident 6 months ago.
Overall I am happy that things are moving forward and fitness is returning but I am still a long way off the levels I had before the accident. I have dropped from 14 stone 2 on Jan 1st to 13 8 yesterday just by eating properly and cutting beer out.
The insurance company made an offer on my bike of £800 and allowing me to keep the bike, I am think that is too low. They are comparing it to a Wilier GTR with ultegra which is avialable for £1600. My bike was 3k new and had to be imported from Italy as it was not available in this country with DI2. So negotiations are on going.
Last edited:
- Location
- Manchester
Well done. Best wishes for continuing improvements.
