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Spine Fractures & Back Pain 101

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In April, 2006 on an impromptu snow trip to Tahoe with my family, I fractured my spine in two places while sledding. I sustained a compression fracture of L1 and a burst fracture of L2. A small piece of bone broke off of my L2 fracture and impacted my spinal column by 25%. Thankfully, I did not experience any nerve damage and did not have to have surgery. I did, however, have to wear a TLSO (aka "clamshell" or "turtleshell") body brace for 12 weeks and had to do minor physical therapy. It has now been over four years since my accident and besides a stiff back in the morning and after too many hours in front of the computer, I have completely recovered. I created this lens to help other folks who have experienced spine fractures or similar injuries. Please feel free to email me if you have anything helpful to add.

Disclaimer

the not-so fine print...

** PLEASE NOTE: I created this page to help folks with back injuries and pain. I am NOT a medical professional and all of the following information is my opinion alone. Please consult your doctor before doing any activities or exercises, and use common sense. **

Back Pain News

from the Back Pain blog...

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Specific Info about Spine Injuries

filling in the blanks...

Below are some excellent basic online resources including spinal anatomy FAQ's and fractures defined and diagnosed...

Anatomy and Function of the Spine: Spine University's excellent (and easy-to-understand) general spinal reference.
Spinal Injury FAQ's: Very general article on spinal injuries.
Compression and Wedge Fractures: An overview of the compression fracture.
Compression and Wedge Fractures: Treatment and Recovery: Another follow up article - this one on compression fractures.
Burst Fractures: Defined & Diagnosed: Short but concise article on Burst Fractures - with some helpful diagrams.
Burst Fractures: Treatment & Recovery: A good follow-up article.
Mayfield Neurological Clinic Spine Resources: Excellent list of articles from the Mayfield Clinic on variety of different types of back pain. Very straightforward and well-written.
Spine Universe: A site chock full of great spinal resources and links.
BBC Health: Back Pain: Comprehensive BBC article on back pain including causes and treatments...
Sex and the Back: Taking the Pain Out of Sex: When the doc first broke the bad news (no pun intended) about my 3-6 month 24/7 sentence in what threatened to be a half inch thick chastity belt (the TLSO body brace), the thoughts of my boyfriend and myself inevetibly turned to our sex life. Sex is often the first thing to end up at the end of the list, but you (and your partner) need the reassurance and physical closeness more than ever! This article discusses how to get groovin' when you're ready. It also includes several recommended positions - sort of like the Kama Sutra for back injuries...

Advice & Message Boards

asking specific questions...

HealthBoards: Back Problems Forum: High visitation rates on this medical message board make it an extremely helpful resource. You do not need to register to view the forum, but you will need to sign up if you want to post a question/topic.
eHealth Forum: Back Pain Forum: Well-visited medical message board. Forum viewing is registration-free, but you will have to sign up (free) if you want to post a question/topic.
Back Pain Support Group Message Board: Fairly low-tech board, with mandatory registration to view OR post questions/topics.

Surviving a TLSO back brace

some helpful hints...

So as I mentioned above, I was lucky and did not have to have surgery. I was, however sentenced to 12 weeks in a Thoracolumbar Sacral Orthosis (TLSO, "clamshell" or "turtleshell") brace like the one to the right. This is a form-fitting plastic brace able to limit approximately 50% of the motion in the spine. Though it can be hot, itchy, chafing, and uncomfortable (and not exactly the sexiest thing in the world), the TLSO brace provides badly-needed support while your bones heal. It is quite literally the only thing between you and a wheelchair and since the alternative is a Frida Kahlo-style body cast...I suppose we can deal with it. Below are some tips on surviving your 24/7 sentence in the back brace:

This Too Shall Pass

top 5 ways to survive a TLSO back brace...

Undershirts - the FIRST thing to do after being fitted for the brace (the brace people usually measure and custom-fit it for you), is to pick up an "under armour" or other similar moisture-wicking t-shirt or tank top. I listed the exact one that I used on the Amazon list below. These space-age shirts will keep you cool and dry and will minimize your 'itch-factor' (which will subsequently minimize your insanity factor)
Skin Care - I was sentenced to the body brace for 24 hrs a day/7 days a week. The first 3 weeks I couldn't even take off the brace to SHOWER (only sponge baths were allowed). So being that the brace is in such close proximity to the skin 24 hrs a day, it is IMPERATIVE that you take care of your skin. This means make sure that you stay moisturized but DRY and clean. Below on the Amazon list are some products that I used. I recommend a hefty bottle of BABY POWDER that you should use LIBERALLY to prevent chafing, stickiness, and odor (I've also been told that corn starch is a good alternative to baby powder). Also pick up a super-sensitive fragrance-free non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores) body lotion. Once I was allowed to shower without the brace, I also used a gentle body scrub to help get rid of all the dead skin cells and minimize itch.
Brace Care - much as you might hate it, your brace is your best friend while you heal. The last thing you need is for it to get smelly or even MORE uncomfortable. Each time you bathe, be sure that you clean the brace thoroughly. If you have a brace like mine above, the material is non-pourous so will not absorb liquid (or odor thank goodness). The straps will get wet, however. You can use a hair dryer or fan on LOW to dry the brace after you wash it (DON'T put it on high as custom-fit braces are designed to be malleable under heat). Be sure to use something antibacterial on it every so often depending on the heat, weather, etc - antibacterial soap will work.
Brace Fashion - yeah, it's not exactly the sexiest accessory you've ever worn. When I first got out of the hospital I could care less what I looked like, however when the pain began to become more manageable and I was taking daily walks per my Doc's instructions, I got tired of the 'Igor' looks from little kids. It was also just irritating that the first thing people noticed was my brace, then I had to go into the whole story, which sounded less and less glamourous with each telling (I started making up alternative accounts - claiming I had saved a bus full of babies or hurt myself while mountain climbing). I found out after a quick trip to Old Navy that I could actually disguise the brace quite easily with some large t-shirts and some light button-down overshirts or blouses. If I wore the overshirt you couldn't even tell that I was wearing the brace. I also considered getting the brace officially decorated. At a friend's recommendation I contacted a local sign maker who called me back with several ideas for getting the brace airbrushed. Only problem was that the thing would have to be OFF to paint it...hrm...maybe someone else out there would have better luck if they were so inclined.
Mental Health - 12+ weeks of sitting at home, not being able to drive (if you're on narcotic pain killers), and relying completely on the aid and kindness of others can result in an overwhelming feeling of powerlessness and frustration. Adding to that is the fact that many heavy medications (like pain-killers and muscle relaxers) can result in sedation, lethargy, and even depression. Many have said that a positive mental state can have a reciprocal impact on the healing process. In any case, the better you feel, the easier you'll make it through and the better you'll cope with pain and frustration, so mental health should be a high priority on your list.

Keep your friends, family members and/or caretakers updated on how you're feeling daily. In addition to being able to offer you additional support, if you communicate your mood on a regular basis, they will be less likely to take things personally if you happen to be extra grumpy or sensitive.

Stay busy, do what makes you feel productive and happy, try to avoid Jerry Springer ;)

TLSO Web Resources

brace care, etc...

Spine Universe: Spinal Bracing: Concise article explaining different types of braces and has photos!
Using Your TLSO Brace at Home: Tipsheet for using and caring for your TLSO brace.
Home Care for the Thoracic-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis (TLSO): This is a how to designed for children's braces from the Cincinatti Children's Medical Center but still has some good info.
Braces for your neck and back: Comprehensive list and instructions for several different types of neck and back braces - including our favorite the TLSO...

Helpful products

stuff to help you cope...

Below are products that I have found helpful with my spine injury. I have arranged them roughly in order of most important to least.

Feedback

praise, boos, thoughts, comments, suggestions from visitors...

Got something to say? Want to post a comment or a suggestion or report a dead link? Dying to tell me that my lens saved your life or that you hate my guts? ;) Well why are you still reading this? Send me some feedback already!

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Reply

Sarah C Feb 8, 2012 @ 10:28 pm | delete

I fell off horseback riding and broke the first bone ever, after riding for 11-12 years. I have a compression fracture of my T12, and I am also in the TLSO brace. I have to admit that I am not very good at wearing it all the time. The doctor said I could take it off to shower and sleep which is nice. I have my first catscan post-accident (besides the initial one in the hospital) on Friday and am anxious to see how it's healed. I'm a bit worried because I have quite the busy schedule. However, the doctor DID okay me to attend class and such... It's been barely a month since the accident but I'm hoping I wont have to serve too much more time haha. I have a few long plane rides coming up in the future and I'd love to not have to wear this brace!!!

Reply

Adam Feb 6, 2012 @ 2:08 pm | delete

Thanks for sharing this lens! very informative about spine fractures and ways how to cure back pains. DePuy Pinnacle Recall

Reply

Bonnie6 Jan 20, 2012 @ 9:11 am | delete

Hello freinds , wow reading all of the injuries since i last wrote in , hope all heals an is back too normal for whatever that really means anymore. I seen my back dr. in jan I have a new break an we are going too do a biospy an then surgery on my L2 he says its like a cast that they do too the broken bones, has anyone else had this done? also it is confirmed that i do have osterperious , so if anyone else has this can you also send input about how this has changed your life style. Iam still wareing my brace not the turtle one all day an it comes off when in bed, Iam not allowed too do anything as they are worried about more breaks, This is awful as iam so use too doing everything for myself an others now i just usually do stuff on the computer etc etc . Again heal well an God Bless all of us.

Reply

Samantha Jan 19, 2012 @ 8:03 pm | delete

Wow you're quite lucky. I had a very similar accident while sledding last christmas. I had a slight break in my L1 & completely shattered my L2. I had no sensation in my legs & by some miracle regained feeling shortly after being admitted to the hospital. I have a minor numbness my thighs remaining. I had surgery on xmas eve to put 2 rods and 8 screws in place to support my vertebrae. I was then given one of those lovely clamshell braces to wear 24/7 for the next 5 months. I had recovered quite nicely & adjusted to my new limited range or motion (due to the rods) until I somehow managed to break one of the rods in October. My surgeon decided to simply remove all the hardware from my spine since I'm young (only 20 yrs old) & a good healer. However my L2 did not handle well without the hardware and "collapsed" so to speak. I have since then been wearing my brace 24/7 again.. I was a dancer & in gymnastics before my injury and had a very flexible back. My doctor says my ligaments are too flexible and do not provide enough stability to my vertebrae to go without my brace.. so now I wait to see if somehow my vertebrae becomes more stable with time.. if not i'll be having another surgery.. Over a year later I'm still recovering but I consider myself very lucky.

Reply

Lynn Dec 22, 2011 @ 8:29 pm | delete

On October 9th, 2011 I fell off a ladder while working on the roof of a farm shed. I was in a lot of pain, but didn't go in for x-rays immediately. When I did, I was told I had a lumbar burst fracture of the L2, plus some lesser fracture problems with L1 and L3. I'll spare the details. All I want to say is that during the time I lived in a postage stamp area on my livingroom floor, this website was a godsend to me. Now I am reviewing it, two months later, and am surprised at the number of new entries. So, apparenty, I am not the only person to experience this misfortune. Since I have made fairly good progress in recooperation, I would like to share some of my protocols. They include: liquid calcium twice a day, Vitamin D (again liquid) glucosamine, bromeline (promotes healing) and at least 4000mg daily of an omega3 oil (anti-inflamatory). I have also spent from 20 to 40 minutes with a comfrey poulstice on my back during which time I listen to some positive healing tapes. I have a magnetic pad that I strap to myself at night. It is supposed to bring circulation to the area and ease pain. It seems to work. I stopped taking the paion meds long ago, except for an occasional NASAID. I am now walking two miles and taking my TLSO off at night. I hope some of this is helpful and once again, want to thank this community for being there for me during this difficult time. Best of luck to all in healing

Reply

GRA Dec 12, 2011 @ 2:38 pm | delete

Myself and my boyfriend went mountain biking for the first time in Ticknock in the Dublin
mountains with a group of people who were experienced bikers. Now I cycle to work every
day so have allot of experience with bikes in general and was eager to try out mountain biking
and see what it was like.

We make the uphill climb and then descended downhill. I found the first part of our downhill
descend fine but as we hit more difficult terrain I began to struggle. As I came towards one of
the larger mounds I stupidly pulled on my front brakes and went out over the handlebars. As
I fell I put my left hand out in front of me to break my fall. As soon as I had fallen off the bike I
tried but failed to get up as the rest of my party came upon me. They knew at this stage that I
had injured myself fairly badly and despite my reluctance they called Dublin mountain rescue.

At this stage I knew I had hurt my back ? but I just taught it was an old injury that I had
sustained a few years ago in a car accident. What I didn't realise was that I had two fairly
deep cuts on my face - a slit under my chin was hanging off and I had I have another cut on
my forehead. The whole time I never really really felt a thing ? I presume it was the adrenaline
that stopped me feeling any pain.

I was brought to St Vincent's hospital in an ambulance and brought in for xray at this stage
I realised that I had probably broker my hand as it was beginning to swell fairly badly. I
was told they would first x-ray me and then sit me up. So I was brought in for x-ray and
then wheeled into one of the rooms in A&E rooms for the night ? I knew then that there was
something wrong with my back.

I slept very badly that night every time I went to go to sleep I would walk up all of a sudden
feeling like I was falling ? it was only a few days afterwards that a nurse told me this was post
traumatic stress, it seemingly happens to allot of people who are in accidents. Luckily it only
lasted a few days ? put is not a nice experience.

In the morning the specialist came into me I was fairly exhausted from the lack of sleep from
the night before ? he told me that I had crusted my vertebrae. I was stunned, well I didn't
know what this meant and in fairness the specialist could have done with working on his
bedside manner. Anyways what I eventually found out was that I had a compression fracture
to my T6, I was told that I was going to be on bed rest for two weeks then in a back brace for
a further 6 to 8 weeks but should make a full recovery.

I also found out that I had fractured my 4th and 5th metacarpal (commonly know as a fighters
fracture) which resulted in me losing the appearance of two knuckles. I had a black eye and
bleeding within the eye - called a hyphema. I needed stiches to the cut on my forehead and to
my chin.

I went up to the plastics team because my face hadn't been cleaned up yet ? it had been
left for about 18 hours and as result it was really painful when the nurses tried to clean
it. Because of the way I had fallen and the surface that I had fallen on (dirty and stony). I
had allot of dirt and grit rubbed into my skin. This was probably the worst experience of all
during the whole time I was in hospital my face was injected with local anesthetic and it was
scrubbed to prevent tattooing (this is where dirt gets trapped under the skin ?'tattooing'' the
skin). They then stitched the gash in my forehead and the piece of skin that was hanging for
my chin was sliced (because the end of it was jagged and dirty) and was then stitched back
up.

The next two weeks were spent lying on my back in a hospital ? you basically lose all dignity.
I had to be washed my nurses (until I just started to do it myself), had to use a bed pan, I
couldn't wash my hair so I was using dry shampoo for 2 weeks. The only thing is you do get
used to it after a while . If you or someone you know finds themselves in a similar situation the
most vital thing is to stay positive ? if you don't it will really affect your recovery.

After two weeks I was brought down to be fitted with my back brace ? it actually wasn't that
bad, I was expecting something that would be quite big but it wasn't. (A piece of advise for
anyone getting fitted with a brace ? make sure you have a vest on when you get fitted for your

brace as you need something to separate it from the skin).

Once I got fitted with the brace a physiotherapist was sent down to me ? what I didn't realise
was because I had been on bed rest for so long my body was very weak. She told me that
you lose a large percentage of the power in your legs for each day you spend lying in a bed
and if I was to stand up straight away there was a good chance that I'd faint. I started walking
with her assistance I could only walk for short periods and I did feel weak but you build up that
strength again very quickly

I got out of hospital fitted with my new brace ? I was told that I was not allowed to take it
off at all ? I had hoped that I would be able to take it off to shower and maybe at night but
unfortunately it wasn't so. I found it quite difficult at first to wear the brace will cause grazing
and kinda digs into you. I stuffed sponges between my body and the brace and that worked
quite well. It was difficult to sleep in too ? the harder the bed to easier it was to sleep. Also I
found I could only sleep for a few hours because the flat panel at the back at the back of my
brace got very uncomfortable. I would sleep for a few hours then sit up for maybe an hour
then try and sleep again. After a while you get used to it any you'll sleep relatively easily.

It is important after your bed rest to begin to get more active to get you muscles built up by
going on short walks and then make these walks longer.

After 6 weeks I got the cast on my hand off ? my hand was very weak and I found it hard
to bend my wrist but it came around eventually. The hyphema in my eye took well over a
month to clear and I used bio oil for the scarring on my face. My doctor told me that it will
take a year before the skin pigmentation recovers fully, because my face was scrubbed - four
months on it doesn't look that bad ? I'm lucky because I'm a woman I can wear make-up so I
don't think it is that noticeable.

I experienced very little pain the whole time I was in hospital and wearing the brace. I was
given morphine directly after the accident, then tramadol (which made me feel very nauseous)
and then panadol while I was in hospital. I was given pain medication every day but as
I didn't feel like I needed it only took it as I required it. Once I was out of hospital I took
solpidine which I found good.

After four weeks in my backbrace my specialist told me I could take it off in the afternoon/
evenings and at night for a further 4 weeks. I had my first shower in 8 weeks ? its amazing
the things you learn to appreciate!!!!. After this 4 weeks preiod I was given the all clear.

All in all I spent 2 weeks in hospital, 4 weeks wearing the brace 24/7 and a further 4 weeks
wearing the brace during the mornings/afternoon. I had been told initially that it would take
up to 12 weeks for my back to heal sufficiently and on allot of the cases I read about on the
internet they were all around this period.

Four months on I am back cycling to work and have very few complaints in relation to my
back. I am seeing a physiotherapist weekly/ fortnightly because I was wearing the brace for
so long allot of the muscles are very tight in my back and I have quite a bit of stiffeness. The
brace I was given was actually made for someone else but they refused to wear it ? I was
happy to take it to get out of hospital and maybe as a result my back is a bit more stiff than it
should be because the brace wasn't made specifically for me.

My vertebra is only 40% of what it was but it seems to be an injury from which you make a full
recovery. My aunt fractured her T12 last Christmas and had to wear a corset for 12 weeks
and is now perfect.

I went into allot of detail in relation to what happened to me purely because when I found out
I had fractured my T6 I scoured the internet looking for people who had similar injuries and I
found their stories to be very helpful. I would recommend anyone who finds themselves in a
similar situation to do the same.

Reply

melly Dec 5, 2011 @ 10:29 pm | delete

Hey! I got into a car wreck about a week and a half ago my doctor says i have a hairline fracture to my L1 vertebrae and also that I have a bone splinter..not sure where though. nothing has touched nerves and i didnt need surgery thankfully..but do you think ill be ok? Also what are some tips on what i should NOT do while trying to heal? Since you have had something similar is there any advice on this situation..ive never had back problems could you tell me some things you experienced during your healing process, both bad and good things, thanks a bunch.

Reply

Diana Nov 29, 2011 @ 12:28 am | delete

Hi All! Another ninja turtle over here... I suffered a burst fracture to my L2 doing a box jump gone wrong in the gym. I'm 9 weeks from injury now, and have been off the pain meds for about 3 weeks. I had a fusion of T12 - L4 to stabilise my break, and of course I am sporting the brace for a total of 3 months. Only one month to go!! I have to get surgery to remove the screws and plates in 9 months.

I am also very concerned about "life after" this incident. Desperate to get back into swimming, and normal activity but am starting to understand its a long and slow road back to mobility. Does anyone have any good Rehab tips? I also wonder if when this brace is off for good - will I be in agony? I go to bed pretty sore every night.

Great blog and nice to read the comments and advice.
Diana

Reply

Chris Dec 8, 2011 @ 2:55 pm | delete

Hey Diana,
I'm also a ninja turtle hopefully until Feb. I sustained a burst fracture to my L1 while doing some very highly un recommendable climbing Nov 6th. I'm at a 20% bend and the doc says that if it remains this way i should be free from surgery. This shell is really uncomfortable and I hate it. I've been online shopping around for a more comfy brace but haven't found one. Have you heard of any?

Reply

Elaine29 Nov 20, 2011 @ 2:09 pm | delete

What a good site this is. On a trip from England to Canada in August 2008 I broke my back on the first day of the holiday. My husband took me up a mountain on a quad bike with others on a small tour. I was 50yrs old. He came off the mountain and we hit a tree. I fractured T7 and crushed T8. I was eventually taken to hospital and it was really 5 ***** treatment. I had a brace made for me that was clipped in front of me more open than the one described. Zonked on morphine, and strong pain killers, an amazing ripple bed. I stayed there for 10 days and then was flown back to England. Luckily I was insured, we never even checked this out when we went on the tour. The cost at the end would have been £40,000 and my house would have needed to have been sold. My husband was working in Canada and he came back with me for 10 days. I was left helpless with only the help of friends and the next door neighbours. My daughter was at uni and could not keep coming home. Without my next door neighbours I would have been helpless and will be forever thankful to them. I do believe it is the mental pain that can be as bad as the physical. Also anxiety about the future, as most of us need to work to pay bills etc. The one other big positive was my dog. Izzy seemed to know I could not do much and was with me constantly. I was forced to get up and feed her, let her out etc. Izzy was my therapy. As for my husband, he met another woman in Canada, so I had the added emotional scarring of saying goodbye to a 22yr relationship alongside a broken back.
Three years later I still have limitations and your back tells you what you can and cannot do. I went back to work and completed the divorce. Someone stole my car when I was ill and all my garden ornaments. There are times in life when it is so true it never rains but it pours. Being positive is the only way to survive, it is easy to become depressed or turn to drink or drugs. I am a strong person, but I still have nightmares and flashbacks about what could have happened.

Reply

Bonnie6 Nov 7, 2011 @ 6:31 am | delete

Good week friends , Well as of today iam still wearing my back brace till i see the dr in jan as the date got pushed back as i need certain test done an cannot get them done till the middle of dec now, My L2compressed fracture has not improved at all dr says it still looks the same from when i hurt it in august an I seen him oct 7th ,now he is thinking maybe osterporis or however you spell it , still cannot do any lifting or bending or picking up stuff that weighs more then 5lbs, does anyone else here have this condition of Osterperosis of the bones ? Iam curious about all inputs of this injury or others related too this , thank you all for getting back its good too have input about this injury or types like it ~ lets hope we all have a good week :)

Reply

Bonnie L Grochala Sep 22, 2011 @ 7:25 am | delete

This is Bonnie again , I guess what I need too know is what are the chances of this happening again or worse? What are my chances of being able too work again ? Will I be able too lift up too 50lbs again ? Iam 52almost an want too know what I should expect too happen from this point on in my life , ive never had a break or fracture before an this is a very scary thing right now. I would appreciate any input from anyone please. Thank you

Reply

Bird1983 Oct 15, 2011 @ 4:18 pm | delete

Hi Bonnie, I had an l1 compression fracture 6 months ago and also suffered with hip pain for quite some time. I started physio after 3 months and this helped massively with this, I no longer get hip pain but still struggle to sit down for long periods of time and have really bad back ache some days. If your fracture is stable there's no reason why it should rupture and will just continue to get better with time. It's a long process unfortunately and you just have to bare with it. Having been in your position I appreciate that things appear bleak at times but it will get better, unfortunately it just takes time. I would strongly recommend physio once your out of your brace and even now, if you can manage any core strength exercises they will help in the long term. Rebecca.

Reply

Bonnie6 Oct 15, 2011 @ 6:50 pm | delete

Hello Rebecca, I went too the dr on the 7th of oct , still have too be in brace till i see him in dec, he does not want me too do anything else, he is concerned about more breaks an new pain an he is talking surgery but i have too also be now checked for osterporious or however it is spelled as my fracture is still the same as from my accident ~ so now its just a waiting game, an how long if any have you been out of work? thank you for your input . Bonnie

Reply

Bonnie L Grochala Sep 21, 2011 @ 8:49 pm | delete

I have a compressed fractured L2 of the vertibrae what is the outcome of this usually ? Iam also wareing a back brace but its not like the one showned here , iam too ware it at all times besides sleeping an showing, Iam also on pain pills but about too stop as iam almost out of them an have no insurance right now, ive come too noticed if i sit for a long period of time my left hip an upper thigh hurt much more then when laying down ~ I see the dr on Oct 7th of 2011 this happen on august 28th 20ll , ive heard some horror stories an would like too know anyones opinion about this injury. Some have told me that it can rupture at anytime is this true ? now that had me really worried about this injury , iam doing nothing but resting an taking it easy ~ Would just like any input about this . Thank you
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Message from the Captain of the Anti-Sledding Brigade

pass it on...

On April 14th I broke my back in two places while sledding in Tahoe with my family. After hitting a bump on the hillside and catching some air on my tobbogan, I sustained a compression fracture of L1 and all but shattered L2, leaving a bone fragment in my spinal column. I am VERY fortunate as I did not sustain any nerve damage but will be in a body brace for 3 months followed by several months of physical therapy.

What surprised me the most was that when I was taken by ambulance to Barton Memorial Hospital in Tahoe, the docs and nurses said that they see my spinal injury from sledding nearly EVERY DAY, particularly in children and adults over the age of 8, because our spines are no longer flexible. Sledding seems so innocent - people do not realize how dangerous this activity is.

According to data provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, sledding accounts for over 55,000 emergency room visits each year. Most of the injuries are children under the age of 15 suffering head injuries - in fact, TWICE AS MANY head injuries occur from winter SLEDDING accidents than downhill skiing!

According to Dr. John Tongue, an Oregon othopedic surgeon, "Younger kids, they have larger heads, their head weight is (proportionately) three times that of an adult, they don't have the strength or coordination to protect their heads and they're having very high injury rates."

I ask you all to please pass this information to everyone you know. IF you choose to take your family sledding (trust me, I won't be going sledding any more), the following are some recommendations from Children's Hospital Boston:

1. Avoid sledding on icy or hard-packed snow - try to sled on fresh powder ONLY (to avoid spinal injuries like mine).

2. Choose a hill to sled on that is away from trees, rocks and other obstacles. Beware of crowded areas.

3. Make sure there is no street traffic or frozen water anywhere near the bottom of the sledding hill - a sled may not always come to a stop exactly where you want it to.

4. Check the sled to make sure it is in good condition with secure handholds and steering that works - no discs or tobbogans.

5. Never ride on a sled that is being pulled by a car or snowmobile.

6. Always sled while sitting up with feet forward. Lying on a sled increases the chance of head injuries.

7. Have your child wear a helmet while sledding.

Thanks everyone - be safe.

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