Would I be able to walk if I had fractured a lower vertebra?

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 2022-12-23T22:55:42+00:00

Not sure if this is a v stupid question… I slipped on the ice last weekend and fell heavily on my coccyx, on concrete. Was super painful at the time, almost passed out but was able to get up / get home in a cab and have been taking anti-inflammatories this week but am still in rather a lot of pain so wonders if I should get an X-ray. But it seems a bit dramatic getting a spinal X-ray when I can walk / move about (albeit with difficulty / pain). haven’t been able to get a dr appointment to get advice, alternative would I guess be to go to A&E but I’m sure it’ll be nuts there and don’t want to waste their time if there’s no chance if it being a fracture. any advice appreciated

usernamealreadytaken · 23/12/2022 23:14

DH fractured a couple of T vertebrae, I assume you're concerned about lumbar? I think it's more to do with cord impingement than the actual fracture. Hope you're okay, can you present at A&E and explain your concerns, or try 111?

FurAndFeathers · 23/12/2022 23:16

Yes unless displaced or cord impingement

Fireflygal · 23/12/2022 23:19

Might be difficult now, as the weekend, but a physio could provide advice.

However if you had a heavy fall you would still be recovering.

Yyfandes · 23/12/2022 23:21

Yes. I have previously fractured my spine in three places, different parts of the spine including lumbar. That was from a fall too. Thankfully they were all stable fractures, but I got told off by the hospital for not going in sooner, as I drove myself in later on.

Newwardrobe · 23/12/2022 23:22

Yes , you would be able to walk.

Original poster

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:24

Thanks v much, all. Yes, I assumed recovery would take a while but it’s almost a week on and I don’t feel there’s been much improvement.

might try 111 tomorrow. Helpful to hear people’s thoughts. If it were a fracture (without cord impingement) I guess there is not much that can be done anyway? Ie im not going to make it worse by just lumbering about on ibruprufon?!

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Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 23/12/2022 23:26

If it is your coccyx then you generally would be able to walk, but unless the policy has changed they didn't x ray it because they don't generally do anything for it unless the pain doesn't resolve. It can take months though to fully recover. Sorry, miserable. Maybe see if you can get a special cushion, if too late to order due to Christmas then perhaps put a plea on Facebook.

MintChocCornetto · 23/12/2022 23:27

I had a very similar injury OP slipping on a wet concrete floor. It was 20 years ago so these days I would have gone to hospital.

I was drunk at the time so my back and legs just felt weirdly stiff after, the cab ride home was not comfortable at all. The next day was agony. I think getting out of bed took me an hour.

I couldn't sit on a hard chair for about a week and even then I would have muscle spasms that took my breath away with the slightest movement. It was a month before I could walk without pain and three months before I could run.

I'm totally fine now and have no effects whatsoever. But I'm in my 40s now so a similar accident and I would be in A&E (standing in the waiting room, not sitting!)

FurAndFeathers · 23/12/2022 23:28

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:24

Thanks v much, all. Yes, I assumed recovery would take a while but it’s almost a week on and I don’t feel there’s been much improvement.

might try 111 tomorrow. Helpful to hear people’s thoughts. If it were a fracture (without cord impingement) I guess there is not much that can be done anyway? Ie im not going to make it worse by just lumbering about on ibruprufon?!

It can take ages - I fell snowboarding a while ago and was in pain for about a month or so

I recommend a donut cushion

Original poster

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:31

That’s interesting, unexpected, - thanks. I fell on my coccyx but actually the pain is a bit further up, it’s not too painful to sit down but lying down is really sore (back of the pelvis area) so have to roll onto my side). My lower back isn’t great generally, have been having physio, so it might just be that everything has tensed up but it doesn’t feel quite ‘right’ and I’m walking with a bit of a limp now. Feel about 100 years old

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Original poster

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:33

MintChocCornetto · 23/12/2022 23:27

I had a very similar injury OP slipping on a wet concrete floor. It was 20 years ago so these days I would have gone to hospital.

I was drunk at the time so my back and legs just felt weirdly stiff after, the cab ride home was not comfortable at all. The next day was agony. I think getting out of bed took me an hour.

I couldn't sit on a hard chair for about a week and even then I would have muscle spasms that took my breath away with the slightest movement. It was a month before I could walk without pain and three months before I could run.

I'm totally fine now and have no effects whatsoever. But I'm in my 40s now so a similar accident and I would be in A&E (standing in the waiting room, not sitting!)

That sounds awful. Glad you made a full recovery!

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Nat6999 · 23/12/2022 23:35

I hurt my coccyx taking my shoes off, falling & landing on it. I was in agony for ages & couldn't get the doctor to refer me for a scan for nearly a year, I was referred to a consultant & was manipulated & had injections under anaesthetic, it still hurts 8 years later, the only place I could sit comfortably just after I did it was on the toilet.

Original poster

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:36

Yyfandes · 23/12/2022 23:21

Yes. I have previously fractured my spine in three places, different parts of the spine including lumbar. That was from a fall too. Thankfully they were all stable fractures, but I got told off by the hospital for not going in sooner, as I drove myself in later on.

Thanks for the heads-up. At the very least I’ll try to have a conversation with a medical professional tomorrow!

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FurAndFeathers · 23/12/2022 23:38

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:31

That’s interesting, unexpected, - thanks. I fell on my coccyx but actually the pain is a bit further up, it’s not too painful to sit down but lying down is really sore (back of the pelvis area) so have to roll onto my side). My lower back isn’t great generally, have been having physio, so it might just be that everything has tensed up but it doesn’t feel quite ‘right’ and I’m walking with a bit of a limp now. Feel about 100 years old

If you’re worried get it checked but if it helps I also fell from a height another time and landed in a seated position. My bum was a bit bruised but it was my spine between my shoulder blades that was really painful. Took about 3 months to fully heal - suspect it was a compression fracture of the the acid vertebrae due to the impact, but as I was neurologically normal I just took it easy. - it’s not like they can splint your spine.

Original poster

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:39

Nat6999 · 23/12/2022 23:35

I hurt my coccyx taking my shoes off, falling & landing on it. I was in agony for ages & couldn't get the doctor to refer me for a scan for nearly a year, I was referred to a consultant & was manipulated & had injections under anaesthetic, it still hurts 8 years later, the only place I could sit comfortably just after I did it was on the toilet.

Sorry that sounds v unpleasant- was it your coccyx itself that hurt or further up? I’m actually ok sitting down, particularly if leaning on one side, but standing or walking or lying flat on back hurts

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Original poster

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 23/12/2022 23:42

FurAndFeathers · 23/12/2022 23:38

If you’re worried get it checked but if it helps I also fell from a height another time and landed in a seated position. My bum was a bit bruised but it was my spine between my shoulder blades that was really painful. Took about 3 months to fully heal - suspect it was a compression fracture of the the acid vertebrae due to the impact, but as I was neurologically normal I just took it easy. - it’s not like they can splint your spine.

Show quote history

Thanks that’s really helpful.

and thanks to everyone else who has posted - really appreciate it. Going to try and get some sleep now.

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TheArtfulStodger · 23/12/2022 23:44

I'm stuck in a wheelchair in particular because of a spinal fracture which wasn't looked at.

Please have it looked at, and if the pain lingers, push for an mri.

And be damned careful what activities you do - think twice before any extreme sports, if I'd known about the damage I already had, I may not have gone on to further fracture it.

FurAndFeathers · 24/12/2022 00:09

TheArtfulStodger · 23/12/2022 23:44

I'm stuck in a wheelchair in particular because of a spinal fracture which wasn't looked at.

Please have it looked at, and if the pain lingers, push for an mri.

And be damned careful what activities you do - think twice before any extreme sports, if I'd known about the damage I already had, I may not have gone on to further fracture it.

Definitely listen to this poster and not be!

fwiw - I took it very easy after my injury

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 24/12/2022 00:22

If it isn't painful to sit it might be further up or maybe a herniated disc - I agree with the pp who said to take it easy, do get it checked out and ideally MRI. They generally don't do much with coxxyx but might if further up, better to know what you are dealing with.

Original poster

Poseidensgrumpyneighbour · 24/12/2022 07:20

@TheArtfulStodger so sorry to hear that and thank you very much for taking the time to post. Have taken on board what you said and am calling the doctor this morning. Thanks

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Itslookinglikeabeautifulday · 24/12/2022 08:38

If I were you I'd look up your nearest NHS minor injury unit and go there. I went to one at Whitstable a couple of months ago when I thought I'd broken my collarbone. It was really efficient - walk in (ie, no appointment needed) and although it was quite busy, I was in and out in an hour, including having my collar bone x-rayed.