Spinal injury - looking for advice/help

Got into a wreck about six weeks ago and my spine is a mess. I’ve got surface fractures all along my mid-back—TH7 through TH11—plus two disc fractures. My neurologist sent me over to the Mayo Clinic since they're the big guns for spinal issues. Before I get stuck waiting in line there, can anyone tell me what the drill is for stuff like this? What actually happens next? Honestly, the pain is killing me.

I am assuming all these fractures are non-displaced?

Man, I don't even know. Nothing out there says that. Every single vertebra they list just gives you different info anyway

Would you mind transcribing the diagnosis?

Alright, here’s my exact breakdown from the CT scans of my thoracic spine (T7 to T11), including all those sagittal and axial reconstructions: looks like there's an impression and a multi-fragment fracture on the top surface of the T9 vertebral body, plus a disc fracture with a vacuum phenomenon. Then there's an impression on the top of the T10 body with a front edge fracture and subchondral sclerosis, and another disc fracture with a vacuum phenomenon there too. Also seeing an impression on the T11 top surface with a front edge fracture and subchondral sclerosis. The vertebral arches are fine and the spinal canal width looks normal.

So, they sent me to see the surgeon, and he basically told me his hands are tied—said I should've been in a brace immediately—and now he's passing me off to an orthopedist. And yeah, strict bed rest. The pain is getting brutal; it’s almost everywhere, can’t even sit up or stand. If you have any advice, I'm all ears.

Hmm... so there is no dislocation, at least not internally, which is an exceptionally good sign. According to that CT scan, there isn't even any spinal nerve compression.
Did your pain start immediately after the injury, or...? Could you describe what the pain feels like? Have you seen a neurologist or a neurosurgeon yet? Has anyone checked your neurological functions since the pain began? Do you have any underlying medical conditions?
How did the injury happen?

So basically, I got hit by a car and went flying over the hood, landing right on my tailbone. Spent 6 days in the hospital, but the X-rays didn't show any cracks at first. They sent me home, and I could barely move for about 10 days after that. Then, just when I thought I was getting better, these insane pains started hitting me—and they're only getting worse. I saw my neurologist, the one who's been handling me since day one, and we did a CT scan which finally showed the fractures. My EEG results came back messy too, and even my Goldman visual field test looks totally off.
I haven't had any major health issues before this.

You provide excellent data 😁
Could you please elaborate on the pain? I am curious about when it occurs, its point of origin, whether it radiates, and its intensity—specifically if it can be managed without medication, how it responds to treatment, and if it interferes with your ability to work.

Constant pain from my mid-back all the way down. Feels more like intense pressure than anything else. I'm out on sick leave right now, just not working. I was supposed to start physical therapy already, but since they found those fractures, everyone's totally unsure about the next move. Honestly, I'm freaking out—can I actually move around normally (ignoring the pain) without making things worse, or am I stuck in strict bed rest like my neurologist says? I've been popping Ibuprofen and Tylenol per doctor's orders, but let's be real, nothing's touching this. How long does it take for things to settle down enough to even start therapy???

It depends on several factors... How old are you? Younger bones tend to knit back together faster, and ribs are actually among the quickest to heal... I believe taking some time off is wise, though avoiding strain on specific back muscle groups might be even smarter—but that can only be achieved through rest...
Ibuprofen isn't a bad start, but if it isn't cutting it, ask about something stronger, perhaps something like Percocet if the pain is truly intense... there is no reason for you to suffer needlessly.

Thanks for the advice so far. I've been resting for a few days, but man, this thing just won't quit. Was starting to think maybe it was all "in my head," but honestly? Doubt it. Just terrified about whether everything will bounce back okay without any lasting damage, especially since I was totally fine—cleaning the house, moving around, the whole nine yards—right when I was supposed to be taking it easy... Anyway, I'm gonna get some tests done this week and see what the docs have to say.
Thanks again

Based on my own experience, I’d really recommend trying this herbal blend. It takes a bit of legwork to track down all the specific herbs, but after hitting up a few specialized apothecary shops and health food stores, I managed to find everything on the list. Since common names can vary quite a bit depending on which part of the country you're in, I’ve included the Latin names in parentheses just to be safe.

- 20 g Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- 20 g Arnica (Arnica montana)
- 20 g Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
- 10 g Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
- 10 g Mountain Germander (Teucrium montanum)
- 10 g Calendula flowers and leaves (Calendula officinalis)
- 10 g Comfrey root (Symphytum officinale)
- 10 g Burdock root (Arctium lappa)
- 10 g Chicory root (Cichorium intybus)
- 10 g Wormwood leaves (Artemisia absinthium)
- 5 g Henbane stem (I couldn't recall the exact Latin name, and it was actually the only ingredient I had trouble locating)

To prepare, finely chop the herbs and mix them thoroughly. Take 10 g of this mixture and add it to 1 liter of boiling water, then simmer it covered for about 30 seconds. Once the tea has cooled down, strain it into a bottle, seal it tight, and store it in a dark place. You should drink it three times a day—about 2 tablespoons before meals and 4 tablespoons after you eat.

I truly hope this brings you some relief. 🙂

Hey, thanks. So did you pick that up in Washington, D.C., or where??? No clue where I should even start looking.

I haven't done any shopping in Washington, D.C., myself, but I honestly don't think you'll run into much trouble finding what you need. I personally spent my afternoon bouncing between three different health food stores just to track everything down, and I managed to grab every single item except for this last one—which, if I'm being honest, I can't even identify. That tea really does wonders for your energy levels, so I’m truly hoping it helps you start feeling a lot more like yourself again.

Best of luck!!

And how much can that tea actually help with spinal fractures, or is it just for pain relief?

Tea isn't just about managing pain; its real strength lies in how much it supports bone recovery. I actually gave this tea to my partner's mother, and the results were truly impressive. She’s 60, so her bone density isn't what it used to be, and her doctor was honestly stunned by how quickly she bounced back—it was almost hard for him to believe. She had a serious accident that resulted in a fractured vertebra, which required surgery to replace the segment and install Harrison hardware along her spine. After using this tea for just a month, she’s already walking without crutches, getting up and sitting down all on her own.

In addition to the tea, it wouldn't hurt to stir a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water every morning. It’s quite high in calcium. You can also toss a spoonful of vinegar into chicken soup while it's simmering; it helps your body better absorb the calcium from the bones in the broth, and you won't even notice a change in the flavor. Also, those coral calcium supplements you find at any local pharmacy can be a great supplement to the routine.

🙂

Thanks a ton. I'm gonna try to grab all that stuff. Anyway, I was at the orthopedist yesterday and got this brace I have to wear for two months before I can even start physical therapy. Doc says it'll stabilize my spine, but apparently, my back muscles are just gonna get super weak. Such a pain in the ass. The pain is honestly brutal though, so I'm definitely giving your tea a shot.
I'll let you know how it goes. Later

Don't mention it. 🙂I’ve always felt that you don't really need to say thanks when someone is just doing their job.

Regarding that muscle atrophy issue you mentioned, I have a bit of an unconventional suggestion for you. You could try getting a latex glove and fixing a thick tube or even a large syringe to the opening to create some resistance, or—if that sounds too complicated—just grab a pack of balloons and spend some time inflating them every single day. It might sound a little silly, I know, but honestly, that kind of repetitive hand work makes a difference. 🙂

As for your legs, please make sure you don't stop walking just because things feel difficult; you definitely want to avoid letting those muscles slacken, though you should take it very easy. You can also try some light exercises while you're resting in bed—something as simple as lying down, stretching out fully, and flexing your feet to keep your calf muscles engaged.

If the discomfort becomes too much to handle, there’s no sense in being a martyr, so go ahead and take something for the pain (like a 50mg dose of Advil).

Please do keep me posted on how your recovery is coming along!

If I pick up any more useful tips from my patient, I'll be sure to pass them along to you.

Best regards!! 🙂

Just wanted to give you a heads-up—I finally grabbed those herbs and I’ve been sipping the tea for two weeks now. Honestly, the pain is way more manageable. It tastes absolutely disgusting, but whatever, I'm used to it by now. I’m getting my brace taken off in two weeks, then it's time for some imaging, and we'll see if things actually improved.
Talk soonnnn
Later

Chris Taylor54 said:Just wanted to check in... I picked up those herbs and I've been drinking the tea for two weeks now. Honestly, the pain is way more manageable. It tastes absolutely terrible, like pure bitterness, but I think I'm finally getting used to it. In two weeks, I get the brace taken off and head in for some imaging... we'll see if things are actually looking better.
I'll keep you posted...
Best,

Good luck 👍