Lumbar compression fracture

I've been following this thread since pretty early on, and have gotten to the point in my own recovery that I can thankfully say that the worst is behind me and that I can offer a helpful perspective as well. As context: I'm a 23 year old male. I've been climbing for a little over five years.

On Novemeber 2, 2021 I fell from the top of 'Storming the Castle' at Stone Fort TN. I landed on a single pad on my feet and rolled (which I think saved my legs from snapping) but the force traveled up my body and snapped my L3 in half (picture a piece of firewood cleaved by and axe). Aside from sore/stiff legs, ankles, and feet I was uninjured everywhere else. I had trouble getting up, and really couldn't get past the point of sitting up. I didn't know my back was broken until I went to the hospital. I was expecting something with my legs, but had walked out with asssitance to the ambulance. After and X-ray, CT scan, and an MRI the doctors said it was the most unusual lumbar fracture they ever saw. Either piece hadn't shifted, but there was a clear fractrure running right down the middle. The neurologist initially was prepping for an emergency surgery, but made the decision to roll the dice and proscribe a LSO back-brace. I followed up with weekly x-ray appointments back home to monitor for changes. The most surprising part of the whole ordeal, and one that still baffles my neurologist is that I never experienced any back pain, from the miniute I fell until now. 

The first month was the worst. My legs and feet were still very sore from the fall, my back muscles were tightening up and the brace caused knots to form in my back (did its job though, so no compaints), and moving around the house was a lot of work. They warned me that if it was to shift and potentially cut into the nerves it would be in the first month. I'd wake up in the morning and wiggle my toes and breathe a sigh of relief. When my neurologist at home briefed me on my injury for the first time I almost vomited. I knew it had been bad, but they really drove home the point that it should by all accounts have been much worse and that I should be paralyzed. The neurologist okayed walking/easy hiking after the first week, and I tried to shoot for progressively increasing my duration/distance every week. Being outside and moving kept me sane. The first month was also horrible on the mental side of things. In part because of the unknown, I was grieving the potential experiences and activities that I might never get to do again. I fixated on watching recovery stories such as Safety Third, and Meru. I also found the stories of Quinn Brett and Molly Mitchel helpful too. I would get emotional over things like North Face or Patagonia commercials that would pop up. I played the "What If?" game about the accident for the first few weeks, but became content and accepting of the events and outcomes (never happy, but okay). I had been coming home from a two month roadtrip where I had been climbing and mountain biking at levels that were new peaks for me, and the sharp contrast of going from that level of freedom and mobility to struggling to tie my own shoes and having friends drive me places was not something I'd with on anyone.

The first month passed, and the bone started re-ossifying. The brace hurt less to wear, and my legs and feet no longer felt sore/stiff. I started walking much more and going on longer hikes. I was diligent with wearing the brace. I saw the (and still see) the next few months being an investment for the next 7-8 decades of outdoor activity. The 2 month period was also the point where, though it wasn't gauranteed, the doctors were hopeful for a full recovery. Around the 2 month point I started doing easy 10lb bicep curls for extremely high reps just to feel like I was doing something for the upper body. I also started doing easy resistance band exercises for my upper body so long as they didn't put unnecessary pressure on my spine/lower back. My hips had gotten pretty tight, and I've always had tight hamstrings, so I started doing morning and evening leg/hip stretches to try and stay mobile. Each ensuing x-ray would show more bone growth forming, and the neuroligists were happy with the progress. I did acupunture and cupping very consistently since week one, and that is somerhing I'd STRONGLY recommend to anyone with a similar injury. It would minimize or completely remove the muscle-knots in my lower back, and since I've stopped wearing the brace they are effectively gone. It wasn't a cure-all, but it substantially made my back feel better and better stiffness-wise to the point where it was a night-and-day difference.

On February 11 2022, I was cleared to stop wearing the back-brace. I could start getting back to pre-injury activity, but was told to reintroduce things progressively, and though the bone is functionally strong, I was warned not to take big falls, crash, or do anything that could potentially create high-impact forces. I've been going to PT, and the stretches and strength exercises I have been proscribed for my lower back and hips have done a world of help in loosening everything up. I'm continuing to work on mobility (trying to make it better than it was before the fall), and have been running, and biking in ways that will rebuild my endurance base over the next few months. I have started climbing again. Mostly TR and auto-belay on easier stuff to get back at it, but also some bouldering traverses to warm-up/cool-down. Climbing has felt really good, and it is nice to be back to something I've longed for. I plan on leading very easy stuff again in the coming month or two, but do not think I will be pushing myself into situations where the potential for big whipps can occur for another 3-6 months (if that). I'm more than grateful and relieved that I should make a full recovery without long term complications, and am excited to get back to sub-24 hour link ups in the mountains again! Ready for some big days out. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone, but I value the lessons it taught me. The downtime gave me plenty of opportunity to shrink down my reading list, recognize I value movement in the outdoors WAAAYYY more than I thought and that I had been handling stress in a negative way by pushing myself to unhealthy extremes with exercise, I got the chance to move slower through neighborhoods and parks I've gone to for years and appreciate a lot of things I missed, and I think I had a lot of time to sit with some experiences I've had over my years in college as I transition into a work career. I also never plan on highball bouldering again. It is not worth it for me anymore and if there is a line that really catches my eye I'll drop the ego and do it on TR (I want to go back and TR the one I fell off). Thankfully this was a life injury, but not a life-changing injury in the catastrophic sense. I've been looking for a reason over the past few years to stretch more often, and I think I have a pretty compelling reason now for the rest of my life.

My break wasn't your standard compression fracture, but I hope this data point will add some positivity to the recovery process.

My last consult wasn't good.  My main L5 fracture is getting slightly wider and they want to fuse my spine.  My possible surgery would entail 2 rods and 6 screws that fuse L4-L5-S1.  The neurosurgeon is giving me 3 more months of "wait and see".  If it's not better he says we should do the surgery.  

To those who had spinal fusion surgery, how was your outcome?  I understand that every injury and surgery is different, but just trying to get a general sense of what it's like to have a portion of your bendy spine, turn into a solid rod.   

-Are you still able to do all of the same motions/activities?  Albeit with a slightly different body movement?
-Does you back/spine give you pain still?
-How was the recovery?  

Kyra Condie made the Olympic team with TEN fused vertebrae.  I might have 3 fused vertebrae so maybe there's still a chance I can make the 2024 Paris Olympics.  (I'm kidding, I'm just a trad dad climber).  

 (Thank you to all who have written out their stories and offered support.  This is immensely helpful).  

BryanOC wrote:

My last consult wasn't good.  My main L5 fracture is getting slightly wider and they want to fuse my spine.  My possible surgery would entail 2 rods and 6 screws that fuse L4-L5-S1.  The neurosurgeon is giving me 3 more months of "wait and see".  If it's not better he says we should do the surgery.  

To those who had spinal fusion surgery, how was your outcome?  I understand that every injury and surgery is different, but just trying to get a general sense of what it's like to have a portion of your bendy spine, turn into a solid rod.   

-Are you still able to do all of the same motions/activities?  Albeit with a slightly different body movement?
-Does you back/spine give you pain still?
-How was the recovery?  

Kyra Condie made the Olympic team with TEN fused vertebrae.  I might have 3 fused vertebrae so maybe there's still a chance I can make the 2024 Paris Olympics.  (I'm kidding, I'm just a trad dad climber).  

 (Thank you to all who have written out their stories and offered support.  This is immensely helpful).  

I’m still recovering from a spinal fusion surgery but of my thoracic spine. The first 3 weeks were pretty rough but quick improved. Now about 2 months out I have no or minimal pain day-to-day. My surgeon gave about 6-8 month before I can return to sports. The surgeon seems pretty confident it won’t impair me going forward. As you said every injury is different and ultimately your surgeon is the one to voice your concerns too. If they’re not a climber maybe show them some videos of the kind of climbing you do so they understand what your goals are. Be sure to get yourself a good Physical Therapist too.
best of luck 

BryanOC wrote:

My last consult wasn't good.  My main L5 fracture is getting slightly wider and they want to fuse my spine.  My possible surgery would entail 2 rods and 6 screws that fuse L4-L5-S1.  The neurosurgeon is giving me 3 more months of "wait and see".  If it's not better he says we should do the surgery.  

To those who had spinal fusion surgery, how was your outcome?  I understand that every injury and surgery is different, but just trying to get a general sense of what it's like to have a portion of your bendy spine, turn into a solid rod.   

-Are you still able to do all of the same motions/activities?  Albeit with a slightly different body movement?
-Does you back/spine give you pain still?
-How was the recovery?  

Kyra Condie made the Olympic team with TEN fused vertebrae.  I might have 3 fused vertebrae so maybe there's still a chance I can make the 2024 Paris Olympics.  (I'm kidding, I'm just a trad dad climber).  

 (Thank you to all who have written out their stories and offered support.  This is immensely helpful).  

Sorry to hear!

I also consulted my neurosurgeon about the possibility of a fusion surgery cause I got a little bit kyphosis because of that. I was hoping a fusion could help with restoring the vertebrae height and shape. He warned me about adjacent segment disease and other possible complications of my case if I choose that way. Every case is different but it seems that if there is no potential of spinal cord compression / spinal stenosis/ nerve compression and the fracture is stable + healing, then conservative treatments would be recommended?

A second opinion and a third opinion would be useful when a possible surgery is involved?

Good luck and best wishes! 

I am joining in the post-party on this topic: 

2 weeks ago I was involved in an accident at Shagg Crag in Maine while briefly in town for my sister's wedding, visiting from Las Vegas. A large local climber failed to tie his figure 8 knot, I was unlucky enough to be in the line of fire when the 250lb body came hurling down after falling at the 4th or 5th draw crux of a 5.12d towards the top of the cliff. I had my back slightly turned and was sitting off to the side but the body had barned doored off the route. Everything happened so fast and I honestly didn't see much but all of a sudden I was struck in my back harder then I ever could have imagined.  This caused a compression fracture to my L1 vertebrae @ 20%. The person involved in the accident was spared worse injuries because of me and has not even so much as reached out to apologize let alone help pay for some of my bills that his negligence ultimately caused. I feel like I got hit by a drunk driver or something. It brings up an interesting debate associated with the risk of climbing and the liability that one is ultimately responsible for. Had the person knocked a rock on me I don't think I would feel quite the same way because that is out of your control. Curious about what others think though I'm sure I will get little in the way of assistance from him judging by how things have gone so far. 

My recovery has barely started but I am posting here for support and hoping for a chance to recover quickly. It's really hard to go from peak shape ready to attack the fall climbing season to literally doing nothing, not even being able to go to my job. I will update you in a few weeks when I go back to my doctor. 

To anyone following this topic and has gone through something similar I was wondering a few things: 

When were you able to do yoga? or hang board? 

do bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups/push-ups/dips? 

Thanks 

Probably worth noting (if it’s not already been said upthread) that Alex Honold suffered compression fractures in 2 of his lumbar vertebrae after being lowered off the end of his rope at Index.  I’d say he’s made a pretty good comeback 

I fractured my L1 (compression fracture with 10% loss) in June 2024.  I was in a TLSO brace for 4 weeks 24/7 and another 4 weeks when out only. 

My neurosurgeon said the first few weeks were critical to ensure no further compression happened.  I experienced minimal pain at the beginning but now, 4.5 months later I do get some occassional pangs, although I am bending and doing more now. 

I have taken no anti-inflammatories to allow faster healing for other broken bones suffered.  My neurosurgeon says by 6 - 8 months it should be 100% healed and I shouldn't experience many long-term symptoms. 

15-20% T-12 compression fracture in Oct. of 2024 = ~4 weeks of TLSO brace fairly consistently and bedrest for other fractures (2 pelvic fractures and a sacral fracture that were bolted back together), then very slowly began weaning out of brace over next 4 weeks. Totally stopped wearing brace by 8 weeks and slowly began adding movement back into routine including top roping.  I was allowed to hang with 1/2 pull ups the entire time and also allowed to do bicep curls and fly's under 10lbs.   As far as the back was concerned, I was allowed to push it a bit so long as the activity did not create any type of compression, bending, or twisting. 

I am now 3.5 months post injury and still have some inflexibility and pain near the T-12 with core work.  I am back to climbing at about 90% on vertical terrain of what I was pre injury, but have not yet started to do any type of back-intense lifting, just now transitioning into more aggressive plank and core work.  Plan to start leading very easy routes in the gym next week, but I am waiting for my core and back move further along before catching or taking falls. 

Cowboy Roy wrote:

I am joining in the post-party on this topic: 

2 weeks ago I was involved in an accident at Shagg Crag in Maine while briefly in town for my sister's wedding, visiting from Las Vegas. A large local climber failed to tie his figure 8 knot, I was unlucky enough to be in the line of fire when the 250lb body came hurling down after falling at the 4th or 5th draw crux of a 5.12d towards the top of the cliff. I had my back slightly turned and was sitting off to the side but the body had barned doored off the route. Everything happened so fast and I honestly didn't see much but all of a sudden I was struck in my back harder then I ever could have imagined.  This caused a compression fracture to my L1 vertebrae @ 20%. The person involved in the accident was spared worse injuries because of me and has not even so much as reached out to apologize let alone help pay for some of my bills that his negligence ultimately caused. I feel like I got hit by a drunk driver or something. It brings up an interesting debate associated with the risk of climbing and the liability that one is ultimately responsible for. Had the person knocked a rock on me I don't think I would feel quite the same way because that is out of your control. Curious about what others think though I'm sure I will get little in the way of assistance from him judging by how things have gone so far. 

My recovery has barely started but I am posting here for support and hoping for a chance to recover quickly. It's really hard to go from peak shape ready to attack the fall climbing season to literally doing nothing, not even being able to go to my job. I will update you in a few weeks when I go back to my doctor. 

To anyone following this topic and has gone through something similar I was wondering a few things: 

When were you able to do yoga? or hang board? 

do bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups/push-ups/dips? 

Thanks 

my neurosurgeon cleared me to do pull ups/hang board pretty soon after my injury.  His words were, because the pressures were opposite of my injury, it was ok.  My injury was compression and burst fracture of my L5.  

I was not cleared for yoga until 6 months AFTER my spinal fusion.  For me yoga was the best thing for me to re-learn how to move and function with my new body.  

hope you're doing ok and you're back to climbing.  

I can report back that my neurosurgeon was spot on.  For background, I had an L1 compression fracture in June 2024 (10% loss in height). 

I still had discomfort / pain at 6 months but at 7 months it almost disappeared overnight.  I can do pull-ups, deadlift, squat with no issues again like it never happened (fingers crossed). 

This thread is awesome.

People with real first-person experience sharing their stories of their back pain and encouraging one another.

So great and gives me so much hope.

I had a low back pain/injury started in early October 2024 and still feeling it, although less than a few months ago.

Doing my PT daily and now I am back to pullups and planks and core and indoor climbing "carefully" (although my back never feels better than after climbing).

Cannot run again yet but I can do some okay hiking.

I was getting discouraged that it has not 100% healed in the last 4+ months but I just need to stick with the PT program and keep thinking positive thoughts.

Actually, I think my mental state greatly affects my low back pain so there is probably something there as well.

Thanks all for this thread!