back injury recovery time

[Friedpiggy]

I had my first big fall on Saturday. ended up landing right on my right buttock. It is now Wednesday and while the pain is slightly less, I still go into a full on "I'm gonna die" spasm if I try and turn my torso. According to the doc I saw on Sunday I have a bruised coccyx, fractured rib and have sprained the muscles in my lower back.

 

Starting to think he had no bloody clue what he was talking about. So my question is, how long should it be before a lower back injury starts healing? I would think four days would be enough to see significant improvements.

[usxorf]

I had bruised ribs, it only hurt when I breathed for about 4-6 weeks.

[worriesnot]

I fractured L1 vertebrae in 2012 that landed me up in ICU for a week and Neuro ward for a few days after - took 3 months to get back on a stationary bike and 6 weeks after that I did my first MTB race. Was still extremely uncomfortable though for a long time after the accident but could limit the pain by wearing a brace.

Neuro Surgeon I saw through all of it said there was little to do other than pain control and that recovery will take some time. "Let pain be your guide" - was what he said to me the whole time... 

 

If however you still think your quack is on crack, get a second opinion.

[Dazshell]

I feel your pain.  No really, I do!  I fell of a horse at full gallop 2 weeks ago and sprained all the muscles down the right side of my back and into my buttock as well as bruising my right kidney.  2 nights in hospital after I blacked out from the pain.  Luckily nothing broken but I had an allergic reaction to the painkillers and ended up nauseous and getting sick.

 

I have not even wanted to look at my bike, I have been in such pain but the weekend is coming and I am starting to feel human enough to think about a light, flat road ride.

 

However, as per the doctor, my body will let me know when it is time to ride again.  In the meantime, enjoy the rest.  It is winter after all!

[V12man]

I had my first big fall on Saturday. ended up landing right on my right buttock. It is now Wednesday and while the pain is slightly less, I still go into a full on "I'm gonna die" spasm if I try and turn my torso. According to the doc I saw on Sunday I have a bruised coccyx, fractured rib and have sprained the muscles in my lower back.

 

Starting to think he had no bloody clue what he was talking about. So my question is, how long should it be before a lower back injury starts healing? I would think four days would be enough to see significant improvements.

Did he do any imaging studies? x-ray or mri?

[mudda]

all my major falls ... 4 - 6 weeks before feeling good again ... longest off was a year ... but that was a broken elbow ..

[Veebee]

Definitely going to take longer than 4 days to feel better. I would say more like 2-4 weeks depending on the severity.

Sounds like the doc has given you a diluted answer on what exactly happened, so rather go get a second opinion.

[Friedpiggy]

Went to my regular quack today and also saw a chiro. Emergency guy I saw on Sunday got it wrong. Injuries are

 

Possible fracture in the L2/L3 region or on a rib attached to that region.

Stuffed up positioning of hip bones that can be corrected by chiro

Rather large muscle spasm across lower back

 

6 weeks ban from cycling.

 

X-rays tomorrow and chiro again on Friday to confirm fracture and start treatment.

 

Suppose I cant really be too cross with emergency quack. Was a Sunday and he couldn't send me for X-rays and had to diagnose based on feel and me crying.

[usxorf]

I thought that chiro's were quacks?

[Sniffie]

Went to my regular quack today and also saw a chiro. Emergency guy I saw on Sunday got it wrong. Injuries are

 

Possible fracture in the L2/L3 region or on a rib attached to that region.

Stuffed up positioning of hip bones that can be corrected by chiro

Rather large muscle spasm across lower back

 

6 weeks ban from cycling.

 

X-rays tomorrow and chiro again on Friday to confirm fracture and start treatment.

 

Suppose I cant really be too cross with emergency quack. Was a Sunday and he couldn't send me for X-rays and had to diagnose based on feel and me crying.

There is no ribs attached to the lumbar region of the spine?

[Veebee]

If you in serious pain after a crash then first thing to do is go to emergencies and get an x-ray done. 

 

Both these doctors are just guessing what's wrong, they cannot pin point it without x-rays.

[Boerklong]

Hope its not too bad. Hope you heal up soon

[Eugene]

I had my first big fall on Saturday. ended up landing right on my right buttock. It is now Wednesday and while the pain is slightly less, I still go into a full on "I'm gonna die" spasm if I try and turn my torso. According to the doc I saw on Sunday I have a bruised coccyx, fractured rib and have sprained the muscles in my lower back.

 

Starting to think he had no bloody clue what he was talking about. So my question is, how long should it be before a lower back injury starts healing? I would think four days would be enough to see significant improvements.

Ok.....let's put this into perspective. You don't trust the word of a highly trained, highly educated, highly experienced person.

 

But you are prepared to listen to a bunch of pedal pushers.

[Harryn]

Went to my regular quack today and also saw a chiro. Emergency guy I saw on Sunday got it wrong. Injuries are

 

Possible fracture in the L2/L3 region or on a rib attached to that region.

Stuffed up positioning of hip bones that can be corrected by chiro

Rather large muscle spasm across lower back

 

6 weeks ban from cycling.

 

X-rays tomorrow and chiro again on Friday to confirm fracture and start treatment.

 

Suppose I cant really be too cross with emergency quack. Was a Sunday and he couldn't send me for X-rays and had to diagnose based on feel and me crying.

Dump the chiro, and see a medical professional.

[J∆kk∆ls]

Do not mess with back injuries. A mate pushed himself when he had lower back pain and it resulted in months of therapy. Go see a Physio ASAP.

[Spoke101]

I had a stupid slow speed OTB 2 weeks ago. Landed straight on my pip and literally felt it travel down my spine. Back was proper sore and muscles all tightened up around my shoulder blades.

Went the a GP he did all the checks for nerve damage etc. there was nothing, he said he didn't think an x-ray was needed just soft tissue damage. He said go see a physio which i did, she also couldn't find any issue.

After a week I was still sore and only just able to function without pain killers. Decided to get an x-ray to just make sure and guess what fractured/anterior wedging of T4/T5. So no riding for the next 6/8 weeks.

 

This year has been a write off for me.

Crash at Argus: 3 broken ribs, bruised kidneys and internal bleeding.

Then first week back on the bike rip a cleat out and go OTB at 60km/h: shattered clavicle, deep laceration on my forehead, broken ribs and internal bleeding.

and now this!!! seriously considered throwing in the towel.