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Tough decision - back injury

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Created by madsailor > 9 months ago, 21 Sep 2010
madsailor
QLD, 71 posts
21 Sep 2010 2:28PM
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Hey everyone,

I've recently injured my back in a cycling accident. I have fractured 2 vertebrae,
and a disc is slightly protruding into my spine. I'm still in the mending stage, also still have more scans to do. But so far i'm very lucky, not to have done more damage.

My specialist asked me if I had been injured before at all, or done anything to my spine before the injury. At first I thought no, but later contemplated that I may have done so, with kiting (without realising). Perhaps poor harness choice had contributed to my injury ?
I'm not sure.

My main question is, has anyone had a serious back injury from kiting ?
Specifically to the upper region of the spine (t6 t4) ABOVE the top part of the harness ?

My back will heal itself, but depending on how well, I still may be required to have some sort of surgery.

For the time being, I can't do anything accept rest and take it easy. But i'm faced with the decision of having to possibly give up kiting entirely.

ps: Don't take anything for granted.
pps: cycling is great, but the car and pole that you hit, will always win.




colinwill78
VIC, 1395 posts
21 Sep 2010 2:39PM
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madsailor said...


pps: cycling is great, but the car and pole that you hit, will always win.




^^

No experience with back injuries luckily.
Hope for a swift and complete (or near as) recovery for you.

Juz M
NSW, 156 posts
21 Sep 2010 3:08PM
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Ive got a solid list of lower back/pelvic problems,
2 4 inch titanium rods in both hip joints, 2 lower vertabrae have slipped into my spinal cord 10mm and also 2 wedged vertabrae in my neck!

Wasnt caused from kiting, was from having no fear when i was younger!

I was told to give up my building job and not to do any extreme sports again and once myu legs start to get numbness in the ankles, its spinal fusion time.

I still build and kite, but just have to know my limits.

Upgrading to mystic warrior 2 from dragonshield helped alot, alot more support which is awesome!


Ps im only just goin on 25, which is the crap part!

theDoctor
NSW, 5786 posts
21 Sep 2010 4:12PM
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I fractured T4,5 & 6 many years ago, I find waist harness' hurt, after a session my back is tight and stiff, I can't get comfortable, sleep take deep breaths, cough or back it up for another session the next day.

I wear a seat harness and have no problems kiting for six hours straight and backing it up the next day if its on...

may not be super cool, cause it doesn't work putting shorts over your wettie in a seat harness, but is super comfy

dbabicwa
WA, 809 posts
21 Sep 2010 2:59PM
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Not from kiting, 2 4 inch stainless steel rods in T13 but that was 10 years ago. No problems at all with waist harness.
Give it some time, a year or two...

chronic
NSW, 318 posts
21 Sep 2010 9:15PM
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hey mate
i fractured my T4 and T5 vertebres in April this year surfing. i was lucky not to have to have an operation just got put in a fiberglass body cast for two months

i'm hoping to get back on the water soon, but i'm finding now its not the bones but the muscles that are affecting me as the recovery of the muscles is slower than the healing of the bones

i'm swimming about 500m each day in a heated pool to get on track. and i've noticed certain movements are harder than others.

each 2 years the body totally replaces all its bone structure, so unless you have endless disc problems you'll be back out there by next winter i reckon, just lay off kite loops and that

good luck on your recovery

Gorgo
VIC, 5127 posts
21 Sep 2010 9:23PM
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madsailor said...
....
For the time being, I can't do anything accept rest and take it easy. But i'm faced with the decision of having to possibly give up kiting entirely.

ps: Don't take anything for granted.
pps: cycling is great, but the car and pole that you hit, will always win.




Naaah. I've got two crushed vertebrae. I kite fine. Wait until you're healed and see what happens.

Cycling on the road is not great. It's suicidal. Kiting in 50 knots is much safer.

madsailor
QLD, 71 posts
22 Sep 2010 5:03PM
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thanks everyone for the support.
It's Kinda good to know i'm not the only one who's been injured, but not good, if you know what I mean.

juggler
VIC, 243 posts
25 Sep 2010 7:08AM
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I also injured me back & scored a few spinal rods,5 years ago today actually, keep active swimming, kiting riding keeps your body from stiffening up
I use a mystic dragon shield seat because of this, its very comfy & well built




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