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Docspidey

prior injury and jumping

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I spoke about this earlier here asking for thoughts from others who have experienced vertebral fractures, but I had one last question on the subject from anyone who has a good thought:

I fractured L1 (burst fracture, very nasty), and just got the brace off last month (thank GOD, it was such torture). The orthopod said that I should be good to go with no restrictions come spring, but I'm still nervous as hell that when I biff a landing I'll break something.

Any thoughts on the best way to get past the mental block on nerves, and more importantly, what is the best way to ensure that even if I dig one in, I'll have the least chance of impacting my spine/butt. Is just a good 'ol PLF the best plan of attack, or is there more I could do, just in case. Thanks for the thoughts all...
~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
-Anon

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I fractured L1 (burst fracture, very nasty), and just got the brace off last month (thank GOD, it was such torture). The orthopod said that I should be good to go with no restrictions come spring, but I'm still nervous as hell that when I biff a landing I'll break something.



I busted my leg pretty nasty and fractured L5 in 2002. I was lucky enough that I had an orthopedic that was also a very experienced jumper. He subscribed me some braces and I was good to go in 9 months. Was I nervous? Hell yeah! I promised myself I'd make at least 10 jumps before even considering quitting. Took me the full 10 jumps to bleed off the nerves. Oh, and I upsized (stiletto 135 -> Spectre 150) for about 4 months to ease myself in. I can heartily recommend doing that.

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Being nervous is good, it keeps you thinking about what could go wrong and keeps you aware. Think about each aspect of the jump(s) including the walk off the landing area. Visualize how you are going to handle each situation.

I herniated L4 and fractured L5 during a hard opening a year ago last August. After 2 months doing nothing and 4 months of physical therapy, it was my turn to return to the skies.

I was very, very nervous especially when thinking about the jump on the ride up and when nearing deployment. All I could do in my situation was think about tracking from the formation, clearing my air, checking for other jumpers, getting big, getting big, wave off, deploy, risers....

Everything went well and I've had a great year. I still get backaches when I don't exercise, so do what your MDs and PTs tell you to do!

Blue skies,

Jim

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Burst fracture of the lumbar...usually caused from falling from a height and landing on the feet too hard...PLF!! :P:)
anyway, being that L1 "burst fractures" usually entail detachment of the pedicle form the vertebral body, you may be put at some sort of ease to know that the bone, once fully healed, will probably (and most likely) be stronger than the original attachment, and definately as strong as the original.


BE THE BUDDHA!

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I had a nasty motorcycle accident in 1999 and had a burst L4 fracture among other fractures and injuries...it was so serious that my doctor said only 1/100 actually walk after an injury like that. On top of that, i had some questionable medical care because of the country I was in and spent over 2 months in the hospital because of infections, etc. I had L3-L5 fused with Ti rods.

It took a lot of thinking to actually start skydiving, but in the end i figured, i'm so lucky to be walking, i'm not gonna spend my time sitting.

About the landing, i'm not a doctor but I am an engineer and a physicist, a well-done PLF will add your legs to the equation, thus absorbing more of the impact energy. A butt-landing will, i think, definitely put more force on your back and neck. Regardless of my past injuries i follow all the standard rules, they seem to allow for the greatest margin of safety.

Like the last poster, i've also heard that because of the fusion, your back bone is actually stronger over the fused area. I've also had doctors tell me that because of this, if you do have an accident your back will tend to break somewhere else.

Hope this helps, and please do jump in if i need to be corrected!

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I had an L4-S1 instrumented spinal fusion in 1998. In april of this year after a 20 year lay off I made a tandem jump at the ranch. High gusting winds caused a very hard landing resulting in the tandem master landing on top of me resulting ina substantial compression fracture of L1,broken rib and fractured tailbone. At this date, the L1 fracture is still very painful although completely healed. I'm uncertain at this point if I will jump again. I would certaintly NOT do another tandem jump if I decide to pursue training at a later date.The area of the fusion was completely unaffected. I have 12 bolts and 20 inches of titanium rod as well as bone grafts from my hip that resulted in a very good fusion. The problem is the basic spinal mechanics have been altered permanently and although the fused are is unlikely to suffer further damage,you have to ask yourself if you can afford to risk further injury.
***********
Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

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FYI: We had a jumper land hard and crush her heel and starburst fracture her L5.

Instead of fusion or other lengthy surgery on the back, the docs in Houston tried a new technique where they pin the vertebrae above and below the damaged one and stretch the damaged area back to its normal height. Then they inject a calcium carbide? glue into the cracks. The pins are removed and the glue hardens in 24 hrs. The glue is eventually asorbed into the bone. The hardened glue is stronger than the original bone.

She was out of bed and hopping with a walker due to her heel the next day. Never had any pain and the prognosis is very good for full movement of the back.

This technique was used to mend fractured elbows and wrists in elderly patients in the past with great success, but we have been told that this is the first attempt on the vertebrae.

Blue skies,

Jim

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