Any experience of recovery from spinal and rib fractures?

[Pleasedontdothat]

I’m currently in hospital with 3 broken vertebrae and 4 broken ribs after a freak riding accident. The spinal fractures are stable and not near my spinal cord which is all good but it’s all extremely painful (unsurprisingly).

As I don’t need surgery I think I’ve been deemed to be medically boring and haven’t seen a doctor for the last few days. I realise it’s going to take a while before I’m out of pain and back to normal but I could do with some positive stories of recovery from this kind of injury - what helped, what hindered etc.

I tried to get by today with just paracetamol and naproxen as the codeine and morphine were bunging me up but I’ve reluctantly agreed to start taking them again as today has not been great.

I've broken my ribs before. I'm of course aware that you've got spinal fractures too; but I found that sitting down too long hurt! I had to keep moving but that was just as painful.

It took about 4 weeks for me to recover.

I fractured my spine at C6 and C7 seven years ago (also a riding accident). I had surgery as well as wearing a neck brace for 4 months, but was fortunate not to have any spinal cord damage. I have made a full recovery. I remember the first few days in hospital, feeling very shocked and in pain. This did quickly improve. Do you know how long they plan to keep you in for?

Thanks - I’ve just been discharged after just over a week - I’ve gone from not being able to move at all to walking slowly, getting in and out of bed etc so although it’s still very painful there's definite progress.

I ended up googling 😬and happily found three cases with exactly the same injuries - they all made a complete recovery which was good to see

I broke T3 years ago. It was excruciatingly painful- even breathing hurt. But it all healed completely and i am fine twars later.