T4 wedge compression fracture -help please

12-11-2009, 10:23 PM

Please help!! I need to find out what is going on to cause all of this pain.

1.5 years ago I fell on ice, landed on my upper back, knocked the wind out of myself and heard a loud crunch sound in my head. I was in constant pain but 1st xray showed nothing (taken 3 days after fall).

I went and had another Xray after 1 month as the pain was so bad I knew there had to be something wrong and it showed mild anterior wedge compression fracture of the superior endplate of T4. I was told to bed rest for 1 month which i did, this did not help.

Bone scan 2 months after the fall showed nothing and mri two months after the fall just showed very minimal depression of superior endplate of T4 vertebrae, which they said was of questionable significance (they also thought I fell 4 weeks prior to mri, not 8 weeks prior, I don't know if this makes any difference)

I have gone to 3 physiotherapists, accupuncture, ims, injections into my back, massage therapy etc. Nothing has helped to relieve this constant pain. It all starts right at the spot of the fracture then runs down my spine and around my ribs to the front on both sides. My shoulders also kill across the upper back and runs down my left arm to my wrist. In the last 2 months my shoulder area keeps making this weird popping sound when I move certain ways. I doesn't cause pain when this happens. My back pain worsens throughout the day and is the worst at night. I get very little sleep because of it. I haven't worked in 1.5 yrs and cannot sleep.

I have tried tylenol 3, gabba pentin and tramacet for pain but none work. I do not want to try anything stronger as I would just like to know what is wrong and how this can be fixed before resorting to strong pain medication.

I just had another xray and it says "mild old wedge compression fracture of t4 with depression of superior endplate and that it is unaltered when compared with previous exam (the 2nd xray 1 month after i fell) and also says Tiny osteophytes of the thoracic spine are seen. Overall vertebral contour and alignment is otherwise maintained."

I have never seen any type of specialist for this, just my family doctor and have not had a CT scan. My Dr. says she won't refer me as I don't need surgery. I can't take this pain anymore and I think I should see a specialist and they can determine what is wrong and if there is anything they can do to help me but she disagrees and refuses to send me (I am in Canada).

I am currently in a physio program which is causing much worse pain and they just say it is all muscluar. Today they found scar tissue they said.
If anyone has any answers or advice, please let me know. Thanks

12-13-2009, 11:30 AM

I can hear the anguish in your post. I feel bad for you. I know all too well the pain that comes with fractures. And, the frustrations from trying to explain the pain getting help with it.

I also have compression fractures in t6/t7 with anterior wedging of t4. Doctors say that they think don't that is what is causing me pain in my thoracic area.

I was an ATV accident in 98. I have been to many doctors with the same symtoms. My current PM finally found the fractures in 08. She also doesn't think they are the source of my pain. I even asked then what is it? I have had pain for years and they don't seem to understand or believe me. It's been very frustrating. 10 years of unexplained pain!

You have to get a doctor's order to see a PM. But, you can call around and get an Ortho. I would strongly suggest that. Preferable one that deals with the spine.

I don't know anything about physio but if it makes the pain worse, I would stop.

Good luck to you and know that you are not alone!

12-15-2009, 02:16 PM

Thanks for your reply. Wow I cannot imagine going through this as long as you have. I am sorry to hear you have had to endure this that long. I don't know much about muscle pain but if in fact it can cause this much pain then maybe that is what it is. It is just hard to believe. I would just like a specialist to thoroughly go over everything and make sure that is what it is then. This is my back, it is a pretty important part. From what I have read if people still have pain after 3 months they get to see a specialist, never mind a year and a half... or 10 years for you! That is what I cannot understand. Here in Canada you cannot call an ortho and get an appointment, you have to be referred by your doctor. I would have made an appt. long ago if I could have! Again, thanks for your reply this is such a frustrating thing. If I learn anything I will let you know and please do the same.

T4 wedge compression fracture -help please

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