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12 weeks post op spinal fracture surgery

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james57451
james57451

Hi I was in a car accident on 30th January this year which resulted in me fracturing my L1 vertebrae and I had surgery on February 1st to correct it, the surgeon inserted 6 screws and 2 rods into the broken vertebrae and the vertebrae above and below it (T12 and L2). I am not sure how bad my fracture was as I was not told by any of the doctors but I had X-rays, CT scans and an MRI done before surgery. They gave me no other option and didn't say if it was necessary or not. I am only 29 years old and I've been in pain since, mainly from my right hip and my right leg, some lower back pain as well. I generally think if I didn't have the surgery done and just had a brace or something I would feel a lot better right now as I can't even bend in the slightest anymore. The surgeon said he would like to take the metal out of my spine in 1 year / year and a half, I am now wondering since he wants to take it out again if my surgery was even necessary and if he just wants the surgery money. I was in 10 times more pain after having surgery than I was after actually breaking my back in the car accident. I was given no information when leaving the hospital about what I am allowed to lift, when i can go back to work and education, bending / twisting, physiotherapy, precautions I should take and what way this will affect me later in life or anything like that. The hospital have still not sent me or my GP the medical records for my accident and surgery. I was only 18 at the time and I was in so much shock from everything happening so quick that I didn't think to ask anything about the surgery , I know it was stupid. I'm having my 1st post-op checkup on 25th May, 16 weeks after surgery. Is this very late to have the first post-op appointment or is it normal? I'm honesty very mad with the hospital in the way they have handled things and gave no information about anything , my accident happened in Ireland which is not covered by the NHS and I think that now since my surgery was done that they no longer care about how I am coping and they aren't really interested since they have already been paid. What do you think, is this a normal hospital attitude to have towards this sort of injury / surgery? Sorry for the long post, I tend to go on rants haha.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • james57451
    james57451

    Posted

    I meant to say I am only 19 years old not 29 years old lol!
  • jessica_78456
    jessica_78456 james57451

    Posted

    Sometimes after care is appalling , may be the metals were used to stabilise yr back till it heals . If u only had surgery in Feb this year . You may find that it's take s any where up to 6 months to heal. Have you tried arnica tablet s from the herbal shop . They help u heal from the inside . It's frustrating and boring but don't rush yr recovery

    • james57451
      james57451 jessica_78456

      Posted

      It really is! I think that once the surgeon has got their money for doing the surgery they generally don't care after! I think that is what the metal was put in for as well but ofcourse they never told me, my surgeon wants to take the metal out in a year or so but I won't be giving him anymore money, I'll go to a different surgeon next time I think. On follow up appointments does the surgeon requests more scans and X-rays to monitor your healing? I feel like I have gotten worse in a lot of places. I haven't heard of them tablets but I will try them definitely!

  • shelljell
    shelljell james57451

    Posted

    Hi !!! My name is shelly I did a compressed fracture on my L1 like 17 years ago.....my legs are really bothered now ....have you tried heating bags?? Talk soon !!!
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