T5 Burst Fracture - Surgery: 7-Level Thoracic Fusion (T2-T8) - Can You Relate??? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

twins225 · 01-23-2008, 05:20 PM

hello...i am brand new to this forum. i am having a lot of trouble finding forums with people who are in the same position as me. i will give a brief description of my injury and surgery. i have also posted this message under back problems, and it was suggested to me to try posting here as well.

my story:
i was the passenger in a near-fatal auto accident on 11.21.07. my husband walked away with a few scratches and bruises and my almost 3yr old twins made it through without a scratch! i, on the other hand, literally walked away with a broken back. i had a T5 burst fracture, a broken scapula, and several bruised and fractured ribs.

my surgical procedure consisted of a 7-level thoracic fusion (T2-T8). i am about 8 weeks post op and i am doing surprisingly well, considering my surgeons say i was a miracle...they said i should have either died or been paralyzed UPON IMPACT! i can walk effortlessly and have full use of my arms, with very little loss of range of motion. i still have some numbness in my elbow (from broken scapula) and my back is still slightly numb, generally around the incision site and my shoulder blades. but i feel great other wise and realize how truly blessed i am!!

i have been steadily doing research about my injury and my surgical procedure and i am really having a hard time finding a whole lot of information...apparently, i am a rare case??? so i am subscribing to this forum, b/c i am hoping to find someone who has had thoracic fusion or a thoracic burst fracture. i am really just looking for someone to talk to and exchange stories and progress notes.
CAN ANYONE RELATE???

thanks
rebecca

Monty44 · 01-24-2008, 06:44 AM

I had Thorasic surgery in 2004. Check my previous posts and you can read about my experience. Thoracic surgeries are very rare!

twins225 · 01-24-2008, 06:59 AM

monty, i quickly breezed through your posts from 2004-2005 regarding your regretful thoracic fusion. i on the otherhand, did not have a choice in the matter, since i was injured in a auto accident. had i not had the surgery, i would have had to lay on my back FOREVER, obviously not logical. i have quickly come to find that my injury (Burst Fracture) and it's corrective surgery are very rare, as you said. i am constantly doing research and have subscribed to 3 different spine health forums, in which i am hearing the same things (how rare my injury and surgery are).

as for me, i am about 8 weeks post-op and i am doind great. my pain is only mildly discomforting now (though i am still taking percocet) and most importantly, i have full function of my body...legs, arms, etc. i will be having post-op xrays within the next week or 2, to determine whether or not the bones are fusing properly. i appreciate your time in responding to me. i will continue to post updates regularly.

your prayers are welcome
rebecca