lumbar burst fracture- s/p rock climbing injury---

Specialties Orthopaedic

Published

last week after my accident the e.r. doctor told me i had a burst fracture of lumbar 1 and 4. i have a turtle brace to wear for 6 weeks. no one else seems to know much of this terminology, me included. he said it doesn't require surgury, only stablization. that's a large task in itself.

does anyone have any info. on this? or any links?

much appreciated.

ss

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last week after my accident the e.r. doctor told me i had a burst fracture of lumbar 1 and 4. i have a turtle brace to wear for 6 weeks. no one else seems to know much of this terminology, me included. he said it doesn't require surgury, only stablization. that's a large task in itself.

does anyone have any info. on this? or any links?

much appreciated.

ss

I work on a trauma/ortho unit and we see lots of these. The 'turtle' brace (TLSO--thoracolumbarsacral orthotic) may be all you need if there is no canal compromise and the fractures are stable/not displaced. Generally, we put people in these for 12 weeks to protect and stabilize the injured areas, but I am sure different docs have different approaches.

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alyca - thanks for the response- i am new to online posting and have just found the notification regarding your response-- i think i'll be learning more and more about how this site works since i'll be rehabing myself - i also fractured my calcaneous and am to be nonweight baring for a while.

p.s. happy oct birthday- mine is 10/10

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=299&topcategory=Spine

We also called the TLSO a clamshell. Nevertheless it accomplishes immobilization so the fracture can begin to heal. The heel fracture will probably cause you some discomfort because the calcaneous articulates with so many different parts of the foot. Good luck

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Actually the TLSO is not for any stabilization per se. It is so the fracture heals with the patient in an upright and close to anatomical position. Many people will hunch forward to alleviate their pain and without the TLSO will heal in an kyphotic position which leads to further complications.

Hopefully you are doing very well at this point

JC

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hi hi

thanks for all the info--- i am doing lots better- no more narcotic pain meds-no kyphoticing- just the reg. slouching which if i want to sit staight i can just put my shell on- does wonders for my posture and does feel supportive when my back is achy- i do think i am a bit shorter though- and it has been a longer process then i thought getting my strength back--

again thanks

vic

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