I broke my back and I didn't know it

[RogerS]

:shock:

'Tis true. My physio noticed that my T3,4 and 5 vertebrae were out of alignment and recommended having an x-ray. In the past other physio's have noticed this as well but Kate was the first to be pro-active about it. My doctor initially pooh-poohed the idea and asked me to get Kate to write to her which Kate duly did.

X-ray last Friday. Results back today. Fractured T4 and T5 vertebrae resulting from an old injury :shock:

 

[Graham Orm]

:shock:

'Tis true. My physio noticed that my T3,4 and 5 vertebrae were out of alignment and recommended having an x-ray. In the past other physio's have noticed this as well but Kate was the first to be pro-active about it. My doctor initially pooh-poohed the idea and asked me to get Kate to write to her which Kate duly did.

X-ray last Friday. Results back today. Fractured T4 and T5 vertebrae resulting from an old injury :shock:

Wow that's scary. Could have had dramatic consequences. How was the old injury caused....was it missed by an x-ray at the time?

I had a fall from my bike as a kid and was knocked out. After an x-ray in casualty the doc concluded that I was concussed and sent me home. The lump never went down fully. Years later a further x-ray (this time motor bike) revealed an old fracture at the site of the lump.

 

[mseries]

I fell of my bike six years ago. The first doctor at A&E examine my x-rays and discharged me with some painkillers. ... I was actually unable to stand unaided. Another A&E doctor ordered more x-rays, consulted with orthopaedic registrar and they admitted me. I left the hospital 20 days later after two operations to my pelvis to embed some plates and screws.

 

[paulm]

Blimey Roger, bit of a shock for you !

Do you have to have any special treatment or anything from here ?

Well done to your physio for pursuing it for you.

Cheers, Paul

 

[RogerS]

To be honest I am not sure exactly how or when. I did have a couple of gliding accidents in 1999 and was x-rayed on both occasions. The first time Cheltenham Hospital were superb. Lots of attention. Second time airlifted to Redditch where the attention was cursory TBH. But what started this off was noticing an imbalance in the collarbones...quite noticeable...but I do have a photo taken in 2000 (ie after both gliding accidents) which shows symmetry. I can't think of any other instance....OK I had a slight rear-end shunt but nothing too hard TBH...certainly no stiff neck or whiplash...I do remember slipping and stopping my fall with my right hand on the ground but then surely to fracture two vertebra one would expect other bits to break or fracture as well.

It does raise the question as to whether there are any other old fractures.....something to discuss with the doctor, methinks.