hi all,

Great community this. I hope someone out there has experience to help me  – I saw the old thread but nothing in the T11 region when it comes to spinal compression fractures  (T11’s about level with base of ribcage )

I recently had a CT for “urology reasons” – all clear, hoorah, but they have mentioned a “chronic wedge compression fracture at T11”

I guess I need to get an opinion on the CT from a specialist.

Googling helps somewhat but not with the “chronic” bit  – chronic could mean it’s a very old injury and I did have a traffic accident (24 hours unconscious) and a big fall back in 1970! And I have had one sided QL pain on and off since. More latterly sciatica looms occasionally

Web advice varies between bed rest and immobility and working on flexibility and strength. I like a lie down as much as the next man but I’d prefer the flexibility and strength prescription TBH.

Aswell as the injuries in the 70’s, of course like every other mountain biker I’ve had a few bike offs too. I ride slow up and like to turn up the fun on the way down ( they call that traditional “fun mountain biking like a big kid” Enduro now, right ‘;~} – occasional Alpine trips & FOD uplifts a bit more often. I ride a 180 travel longest Mojo Geometron (thanks Mr Porter, best bike I’ve had).

Anyone out there had a compression fracture on T11?

Still riding? All mended  ?

anyone know what “chronic” means in this scenario pls?

The old closed fracture thread has plenty of riders still getting serious action which cheers me a lot.

Google says osteoporosis can be a cause but after all the offs I’ve had I doubt I have weak bones  – I am 63 tho!

Chronic Likely means it’s been around a while too  – so it’s maybe healed.  The QL pain comes and goes – same with sciatica,  flexibility work helps for sure.

I’m a Pilates and Body By Science fan  (although holding off on the intense super slow Nautilus work til I get signed off)

Thought I should find out more before I buy that Fox 40 I have my eye on

Thanks and Happy Trails

neil

Similar to you. I had a bone density scan after a couple of fractures. That picked up a old compression fracture a bit lower than yours. I always thought my back was great, all I can put it down to was a sore back after jumping down from a wall several years ago. The 1 inch reduction im height I put down to age (58).

Dr’s opinion is that it’s historic, settled and can’t think of any reason why I can’t carry on as normal. So I do, still cycling road and mtb with some Motocross thrown in as well. But as ever every case is different, get it properly checked talk to your Dr and go from there.

Chronic medically I thought refers to long standing and persistent issue. Though if it’s not causing much of a problem then wouldn’t think it’s chronic.

Can’t say about T11. Did T6/7 compression (I think I forget now which). Had no issues really after healing but have been warned it may be an issue later of the form old folk normally get but may get it earlier. I say no issue  but occasional back pain standing about, but could be anything, and never an issue riding.

T12 Compression fracture from a missed landing in the Whistler bike park. Like you not identified until much later (likely 3 years plus) when having an x-ray for other issues.

In my case that led to a bone density scan and then a whole heap of issues (I’m 39).

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/early-onset-male-osteoporosis/

However on the topic of the actual fracture the opinion of the spinal surgeon I saw was that as it was old and stable / healed the “do nothing” approach was the best option.  I’m fortunate in that I don’t really notice it day to day (I lived with it for 3 years before it was even noticed).  I’m not a doctor but could “chronic” in this circumstance mean evidence that it’s not fully healed for some reason?

I’m doing more weight lifting and running now (see above thread) and so fingers crossed it’s helping.  I do notice that certain movements / actions in the gym will bring on a radiating pain around the rib cage at about the right level but I’m just avoiding those.

In terms of riding I brought a spine protector camelbak and I do take it slightly easier although I’ve just come back from a week in Whistler (my first since the diagnosis) and I was still hitting the black tech in the bike park although I avoided the jump lines this time.

Hiu Guys,

Great answers thanks, very informative and a long way from the worst Internet advice which was “limit movement wear a corset and even bed rest”. Also mountain biking was on a list given of “don’t do that” sports!

I saw the dGP yesterday and he was very reassuring. He said even an expert looking at a CT scan can’t tell whether a compression is 3 months old or many years. SO “chronic” in this scenario means “old” which means healed.

I guess they call it chronic ‘cos you’re gonna have to live with the “new shape” vertebra.

Could be from a scooter (Transit T bone)  accident I was involved in in 1970 as I’ve not lost any height of late! I still get neck and QL whiplash trouble from that. These things come back to haunt you in your 60’s!

Anyhoo, in the same spirit as you guys the doc said just carry on and forget you have it, do your mountain biking and gym / flexibility stuff – as long as it doesn’t hurt you can do anything you like [as the actress said to the Bishop].

So good news from him borne out by your own experiences, thanks lots for sharing.

“sweaman2” I am off to read your osteoporosis thread now.

keep happy – keep riding

neil

sweaman2

I’d have a chat to Doug McGuff [US based], the body by science guy, he does phone consult and has mentioned osteoposrosis in his books. http://www.drmcguff.com/

that body by science protocol works big time, doubled my leg strength in 10 sessions (that’s a total of 20 minutes of leg presses on the nautilus machine)

I’ll be back on it ASAP now I am signed off

Interesting I’ll take a look.  Since that initial thread I’ve seen numerous specialists and none of them have said I should give up mountain biking.  If I were to paraphrase – Being active is so good for health on so many levels (physical and mental) that it’s most important to be active.  You’re most active doing something you enjoy so continuing doing it but perhaps ease up a tad.

Ease up!

Oh no

thanks