Colorado Backcountry: Broke My Back

Submitted by jp on Wed, 03/22/2006 - 07:47


Sorry for the lack of updates lately, it's been a painful month. On the 9th I fractured two vertebrae while riding up at Mary Jane and haven't been on the board since. I'm off to see a back specialist from Alpine Spine clinic next week, hopefully they will be able to give me a better idea of the seriousness of the injury and recovery options. Every season I usually end up with two fairly serious injuries resulting from snowboarding as much as possible. This year it was the MCL and multiple compression fractures, last year it was broken ribs and dislocated shoulder. The year before all that, it was more broken ribs and torn rotator cuff. You get the idea.. I figured that now I'm a gimp for the next month or more, I'd post a blog entry regarding some of the sites I dig and check out on a daily basis. To all the remaining soldiers out there, keep killin' it and I'll see you in a few more weeks.

Blogs:
120daysofpowder.com
ski-blog.com
coloradoviaalex.blogspot.com
heavywinter.com
cyberhobo.net

Community:
sacklunch.com
biglines.com
tetongravity.com
snowfilmer.com
coloradoski.com
backcountrymaps.com

Weather/Avalanche:
cotrip.org
avalanche.org
geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche/
www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Colorado/colorado.html


PS. I've made some updates to the site UI and the Google Ads code - making it a little less noticeable. If you enjoy the content here and see an advertisement that interests you please check them out and help support us!

Update: I've seen the specialist on the 29th and now I'm chilling in a Jewett Hyperextension Brace for the next 2 months. It's been about a month since my crash and burn and I'm hearing that I'll be able to begin training and riding again by mid/late-May at the latest. I couldn't believe when they told me I'd broke my back, to be exact it is a severe compression fracture of the T11 and minor fracture L1. The pain was very severe the first two weeks after my crash, and it has steadily decreased. I've certainly noticed that my back muscles are very weak and the major spasms have stopped. The only pain I feel now is the weakness of my lower back muscles and the deep throbbing pain of the T11 fracture when I bend the wrong way. The brace keeps me from putting pressure on the fracture, I wear it 24/7 except when sleeping. I'm supposed to make a full recovery, and I haven't heard much from the doctor regarding physical therapy or exercise. I'm planning to post updates here. Check out this blog post and recovery post one year later on a similar injury. Keep an eye out for some late spring/summer backcountry trips!

Not Recommended Injury