12-26-2008, 07:14 PM
I broke my spine EXACTLY two years ago, so I can tell you.It depends on how the break occurs. In some cases, the spinal cord would be severed, and the person would be paralyzed from that point down. That did not happen to me. I suffered a Compression Fracture when I was knocked off an extension ladder and fell 20 feet to hard ground. I landed on my feet, but the force of the impact traveled up my leg and spine, and at the same time my head and shoulders were moving down. My Lumbar 1 vertebra was caught in the middle and cracked like a walnut.First, it hurt. My entire lower back was in pain. I was able to drag myself up, but the shock to my nervous system resulted in very low blood pressure and I almost passed out. I felt nauseated and was confused, unable to recall information I knew well. And I had to keep a very rigid posture so as not to strain the break. I would only get up once a day, since it took about half an hour to get out of bed without straining the break. I slept on my side, and turning over was a major production.This should help. If you want to know more, email me. Oh, the doctor said it would take 6 to 8 weeks to mend the break. It was mended in 5, that's how good I took care of me. The bone will always be misshapen, but I can lift things half my weight again. While it was broken, I had to get people to pour a drink for me from a gallon of fruit juice. Lifting it hurt my spine. And I lived in fear of a sneeze or a cough, which flexes all your back muscles and would hurt!
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