I just wrecked my bike this weekend. I crushed a vertebrate and fractured two other, along with a broken rib. I haven't seen my bike yet, but the police officer tells me it's fine. I ditched into a sugar cane field.

My question is, will I be able to ride after this. Will the pain in my back be too much? I love riding almost more then anything.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2353933496_eef01acfd8.jpg?v=0

Man, not the kinda pics we like to see here. Glad you're alive and moving, can't really say if you'll be able to ride. I sure hope so though. I wish you a speedy recovery!

Holy crap! I'm glad you're (relatively) OK. You should worry about getting healed up first-I'm sure that you'll be able to get back on the road someday. Good luck to ya man!

lol......Kinda reminds me of my 'big crash'-the dude that stopped to help me said that the first thing I said when I came to was "Is my bike ok?"

Holy crap! I'm glad you're (relatively) OK. You should worry about getting healed up first-I'm sure that you'll be able to get back on the road someday. Good luck to ya man!

lol......Kinda reminds me of my 'big crash'-the dude that stopped to help me said that the first thing I said when I came to was "Is my bike ok?"

That was the first thing I said too, laying in the cane field with a broken back. I just wanted to know how my baby was.

I'd guess that if you're already up and walking around (your picture), than the chances are pretty damn good you'll be able to ride someday. Worst case-you'll have to go with a GOLD WING! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! lol

Seriously, you've got different handlebar, seat, and footpeg configurations that will allow you to ride with minimum disturbance to your back. Or even a sidecar rig. Don't lose hope.

I would say that it depends on how well it heals, were it broke at, and how much of a risk you are willing to take.


I would say if you really want to ride again, you most likely will, but you will need to change your riding.

1) You will need to get the best body armour you cab find, it may need to be custom fitted to you.

2) You will need to take up cruiser type riding, no more sport bikin' it.

3) You need a bike that has a soft and smooth ride, Like an Electra glide.

Thank the good lord you are still with us and walking to boot!

Do not worry about when you will get back on, for now, take the time you need to heal up.

I just took my first ride today after having shoulder surgery, it have been a very long and painful time for me, but that 265 mile trip today made the wait all the more worth it.
i still have some pain, but you don't feel it as much in the wind.

I don't want no stinking goldwing. rofl. I want my sporty. I guess I'll have to just wait and see. I'm still in the hospital right now. They have have WiFi here.

Yeah man, you've got plenty of time to figure out riding later on, right now-just think positive thoughts, and get healed up.

Glad to hear that you're getting better and in good spirits.

Like others have said, first concentrate on getting better. Don't try to rush through recovery. The better you heal, the higher the likelihood of riding in the future.

I just wrecked my bike this weekend. I crushed a vertebrate and fractured two other, along with a broken rib. I haven't seen my bike yet, but the police officer tells me it's fine. I ditched into a sugar cane field.

My question is, will I be able to ride after this. Will the pain in my back be too much? I love riding almost more then anything.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2353933496_eef01acfd8.jpg?v=0

If you are up and about the same day I am sure you will be OK but the medics would be the best people to ask. What sort of protective clothing were you wearing at the time? Hope you and the bike are reunited and can continue the relationship soon. :tour:tour

If you can walk so soon after the crash then there must be a good chance of a complete recovery.

We can only wait and see! Good luck.

I know a few people that have broken their backs and still ride.

I love riding almost more then anything.


You'll ride even if it hurts. We're like that.

basstech sorry to hear about your accident, but otoh,
glad to see you are still here with us! Allow yourself
time to heal properly and follow doctors orders.
I'll bet you'll be on your sporty again if you stick to
what they tell you to do.

That sucks, glad your OK. Standing up is a good start. :tour

I just wrecked my bike this weekend. I crushed a vertebrate and fractured two other, along with a broken rib. I haven't seen my bike yet, but the police officer tells me it's fine. I ditched into a sugar cane field.

My question is, will I be able to ride after this. Will the pain in my back be too much? I love riding almost more then anything.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2353933496_eef01acfd8.jpg?v=0

Anyone who has the nertz to want to get back on that quickly will almost certainly do so.... :clap:clap:clap

Get well soon, your Sporty misses you....:D

You should ask your doctor in 3 to 6 months if you can ride again. I am an Occupational Therapist and provide rehab to people with back injuries. Regardless of what the doctor says, full and pain free recovery is not assured. You must not do anything until the doctor approves it. I can tell you horror stories of people who have re-injured themselves, and had to have a second surgery.

By the way, if you end up with a moron therapist and tries to do something stupid like stretching you out by bending you backwards over a big blue ball, or anything else as stupid, DON"T DO IT.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and a good therapist.

They tell me I get to leave tomorrow. I think that's pretty good considering this just happened thursday. I can't wait to be out of here.

I don't know how I'm gonna be able to get in and out of this brace by myself though. I live alone with my six year old son. My girlfriend will help out some. I'm gonna miss alot of work though. It's gonna suck.

I'm going through a divorce right now and have a lot of legal bills, I think the worst part of this is gonna be the finances.

I feel alot better now that I'm mobile. Lying in the hospital bed hurts my back. grrr.

I really appreciate yalls support guys.

Man. Glad you're ok. Take care of yourself. I would say that YES, you will ride again. Follow you doctor's and physical therapist's advice to the letter. Good luck.

I broke my back in 1976, had a spinal fusion of L3,4,5, and s1, in hospital for 14 days, wore a body cast for 6 months and yes im riding again. I have a 06 1200C

They tell me I get to leave tomorrow. I think that's pretty good considering this just happened thursday. I can't wait to be out of here.

I don't know how I'm gonna be able to get in and out of this brace by myself though. I live alone with my six year old son. My girlfriend will help out some. I'm gonna miss alot of work though. It's gonna suck.

I'm going through a divorce right now and have a lot of legal bills, I think the worst part of this is gonna be the finances.

I feel alot better now that I'm mobile. Lying in the hospital bed hurts my back. grrr.

I really appreciate yalls support guys.

Glad to hear they're springing you so quickly-that's gotta be a good sign, huh? Keep your head up man, it'll work out. (and don't go shopping for Gold Wings ;))

I broke my back in 1976, had a spinal fusion of L3,4,5, and s1, in hospital for 14 days, wore a body cast for 6 months and yes im riding again. I have a 06 1200C

That's good to hear. How long before you got back in the seat. I was in a hit and run 3 years ago and broke my femur. I couldn't walk for six months. I didn't ride for 2 years, but that was more because of lack of wheels then my injuries. I was actually working on a jockey shift for my bike so I could ride, but I didn't get it finished before I bought my sporty last may.

Glad to hear they're springing you so quickly-that's gotta be a good sign, huh? Keep your head up man, it'll work out. (and don't go shopping for Gold Wings ;))

I got about 30 years or so before I'm eligible for goldwing. I'll probably have an ultra classic or something then ;)

Wow....

You are LUCKY! I am happy to hear you are doing so good that you could even think about your bike. Amazing that you can stand so quick. You must be taking some awesome pain killers...


Take care and focus on healing!

Happy Easter to you!

Rene

Sorry to hear about the bike but glad you're ok (relatively). I know I would ride again no matter what. Even if it meant one of those ugly ass trike conversions. You'll ride, don't worry about it right now. Heal up and then you can fix any damage to the bike, and then when the time is right..........

Vroom vroom vroom.

Wow....

You are LUCKY! I am happy to hear you are doing so good that you could even think about your bike. Amazing that you can stand so quick. You must be taking some awesome pain killers...


Take care and focus on healing!

Happy Easter to you!

Rene
They did have me on morphine the first two days. Now I'm just taking loratabs. Loratabs don't really do much for me though. I have some sitting at my house from when I had a root canal a little while back. I didn't even take most of them.

Hi basstech.
I think all about luck etc has been said by others, and I agree!!!
Difficult to say what your future progress will be. I agree with Urrell that you can ask you medics/doctors best.
I´ve seen a lot of these cases (sorry, for me they are ´cases´) on my department (clinical neurophysiology, university medical centre groningen, netherlands) and all develop in a different way, depending on a whole lot of things.
Maybe you have to adapt, but don´t forget this will be in the future! First priority first, get well and don´t try to be too quick!
All the luck and if I can help with any questions, don´t hesitate to mail me.
Mus.

Thanks everybody for the kind words and advice.

I broke my back and both legs skydiving about 20 years ago.I was back on my Kawasaki KZ1000 Z1R within two years.I have a '07 Xl1200 Low now and have no problems.Time will heal all.Good luck.:banana:banana:banadanc:banana

Thank God you are ok riding will come I had the same thoughts during my surgeries i had 3 brain surgeries in 07 during the 3rd surgerie i asked my wife if i lived how about a new harley what could she say so i got a wideglide had to get a friend to take me to the dealer to buy it had to have it delivered had to find a helmt that would fit right and not rub on my brain shunt it has 3000 miles and several mods now time and determination if it is what you want you will find a way Phillians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which stengeneth me. heal first ride safe

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7735/nickxraywc9.th.jpg (http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nickxraywc9.jpg)

this is an xray of my pelvic region(don't mind the chubby...)

you can do anything if you want it bad enough...i have no right hip, it hurts to walk, but get my gimp ass on my bike, and it all just melts away. you're lucky enough to know life is short, live free...just my 2 cents

Glad you're still around to tell about it. Best of luck on getting back on the bike. Don't rush it. Definitely take care of yourself. Wishing you a fast and complete recovery.

I've got a bad back, wasn't broken, but it's busted up all the same. I spent a few years out of the saddle because the docs told me I couldn't ride anymore. I was dying inside, lost a lot of mobility etc. I asked every visit if I could ride, always the same answer. I finally said screw it, you only live once. Doc started noticing improvement in my mobility and attitude, I kept asking if I was allowed to ride yet, kept saying no. Finally after a year of this he asked what I was doing different to show the improvement, I decided to tell him. Should have seen his jaw hit the floor. lol. Now he tells me, Im supposed to tell you not to ride, but what do I know eh? rofl
Yeah, it hurts, sometimes worse than others. But you know what? It hurt anyway, and it didn't feel this good. :banana :tour moral? only you can decide if the consequences are worth the rewards. In my case, it's a no brainer.

They tell me I get to leave tomorrow. I think that's pretty good considering this just happened thursday. I can't wait to be out of here.

I don't know how I'm gonna be able to get in and out of this brace by myself though. I live alone with my six year old son. My girlfriend will help out some. I'm gonna miss alot of work though. It's gonna suck.

I'm going through a divorce right now and have a lot of legal bills, I think the worst part of this is gonna be the finances.

I feel alot better now that I'm mobile. Lying in the hospital bed hurts my back. grrr.

I really appreciate yalls support guys.

Well, you should be going home by now so I thought I'd send you something to cheer you up. No matter what, you should be able to ride one of these bad boys:

http://i19.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/cd/10/40a6_1.JPG

Check out Santiago Choppers for some really bada$$ rides...:banana:banana:banana

And get better fast...:wonderlan :wonderlan :wonderlan

How you doing bud?

My dad is 62 had his back broke, his foot crushed, and no cartlige in one knee and more metal thane a 57 chevy. He straps his cane to his handle bars, it freeks people out when he gets off his bike to pump gas, and walks in to the station with a cane. Just dont rush it only you will know when your ready.

If you want to ride, you will ride. Glad you survived, and are still in one piece. I broke my back November 1, 2004, L4 & 5. A couple rods, screws and some therapy and all is good. I started riding again in 06, doc doesnt like it but he doesnt pay the bills. Good luck in your recovery, hope all goes well for you.

I'd give you a 95% chance of riding again.....just based on your determination. :clap


Congrats on surviving the ride! Heal soon and well!

I broke my back in Oct of 06. Fractures in my T11 and 12 and a herniated disc in my L5. It took my a month to walk, 2 months on a cane and then about a year of therapy and exercise. I still have pain everyday, but can ride just fine. In fact, I spent about 2 hours on a Ducati 1098. Definately not the best bike for a back.

The key for me was to not rush into anything. Let your back heal! It is real tempting to go out and "test the waters." One wrong move can erase months of therapy. Another thing, it is easy to gain weight with a bad back injury. This can also make it harder for things to heal.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

mate of mine broke his back bout 20 years ago. still rides ... fireblade at the moment..
hope things heal up and you get back on the bike.. as others have said the fact that your up and walking says lots ...

ohh and dont take no for an answer if they say lay off the bikes !

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/Kraljesnica480px.jpg

O yeas, you will ride again. This is the xray of my back. I broke my L3 in 2000. Two year after I pull out the plates, after one of the screws was broken. After the surgery, when I left the hospital I went to my dealer,strait on, and buy my brand new sportster, since, I ride every day. I hope you will be back soon.

Just saw this thread and your picture. That was me in Sept 2005 after I broke my C5 and T11. I didn't get surgery, just lots of rehab. By Spring the next year I was getting out for short rides and by the end of summer I was out for 500 mile per day trips with no issues. It sucks no doubt but have some patience and you'll be out there again if you want to.

Thanks everybody I'm doing good. I go back to the doc tomorrow. To see how I'm healing up. Thankfully my girlfriend has been helping me out around the house.

My friend Gary helped tear down the bike. I ordered new fork tubes from the stealer, and my apes are in. Gary helped fab them up and get the holes cut for the wires. I'm about to drop off my primary cover, cam cover, apes, triple tree, fork sliders, and ham cam for powder coat. My neighbor is going to be painting my skins shortly.


I'm still in a lot of pain, but I can get around. I fractured T5, T8, and T12 along with a rib. I'll let yall know what the doc says tomorrow.

Don't spend too much on the bike - save some to show your girlfriend how much you appreciate her help!

I don't know if this is encouragement or not, I hope so. I've got 2 fractured vertebrae(C? and L?) and 4 crushed dics from back in the mid 70s. Nothing was done for them. The C was found 3 years after the wreck. The L was found a few weeks ago:(. I've had pain throughout the years but I've ridden bikes and quads the whole time. Yeah, my back hurts but riding doesn't make it hurt any worse and I love it.:tour

I say ride 'em if ya got 'em!:D

Best of luck on a speedy recovery.:clap

wow, man, that sucks that you're hurtin, but GREAT that you survived!!

Cheers to you and i hope you have a quick recovery!

Thanks everybody I'm doing good. I go back to the doc tomorrow. To see how I'm healing up. Thankfully my girlfriend has been helping me out around the house.

My friend Gary helped tear down the bike. I ordered new fork tubes from the stealer, and my apes are in. Gary helped fab them up and get the holes cut for the wires. I'm about to drop off my primary cover, cam cover, apes, triple tree, fork sliders, and ham cam for powder coat. My neighbor is going to be painting my skins shortly.


I'm still in a lot of pain, but I can get around. I fractured T5, T8, and T12 along with a rib. I'll let yall know what the doc says tomorrow.

Well, it's a given he's going to tell you that you can't ride for some period of time. And, judging from the fact that you're already putting your bike back together-it's a given that you're going to completely ignore him :) Personally, I can't think of any better way to heal up than to spend time working on the bike! I'm glad to see you're up and about!

Well I went to the doctor today. I actually have 5 fractures not 3. I havve compression type fractures of T4, T5, T7, T8, and T12, and I have spinal canal compromise at the T5 level.

The doctor says that I have to wear my brace for another 6 weeks. If everything is ok with the brace I won't have to get any pins.

Wow. I don't know what any of that means, but it sounds just awful. You're really lucky that you're up and around, ya know? Here's hoping to a fast and complete recovery!

Hey basstech, I hope things are going ok for you.

Hey guys. Thanks for all the kind words from everybody. It really helped me making a recovery. I've been looking forward to riding and I'm back on the road. When I get a chance I'll post some pics of my bike after it's post-wreck makeover.

I still get pains in my back now and then. So far I haven't had any pain while riding. In fact it seems to make it feel better. The position I sit with the new apes seems to help with keeping my back straight which helps. Slouching for a few minutes leads to a good bit of pain. I never realized before how bad my posture was. I haven't gotten to take any really long rides yet. Just an hour or two at a time. Gonna try riding out to Florida before the summer is over.

Anyway I figured I'd update everyone and say thanks.

Steven.

Thanks for the update is is great to hear you are doing good

I am very Glad to hear your back on the scoot !!!

That in itself will help with the Mental Rehab !!

Hang in there Bro !! Were all pulling for you !!!!

Great to see you back on the road man. It looks likes you healed well pretty quickly. I remember when I just joined and your post was one of the first I seen. Ride safe.

Hey guys. Thanks for all the kind words from everybody. It really helped me making a recovery. I've been looking forward to riding and I'm back on the road. When I get a chance I'll post some pics of my bike after it's post-wreck makeover.

I still get pains in my back now and then. So far I haven't had any pain while riding. In fact it seems to make it feel better. The position I sit with the new apes seems to help with keeping my back straight which helps. Slouching for a few minutes leads to a good bit of pain. I never realized before how bad my posture was. I haven't gotten to take any really long rides yet. Just an hour or two at a time. Gonna try riding out to Florida before the summer is over.

Anyway I figured I'd update everyone and say thanks.

Steven.

Glad to hear you're on the other side of it!

Good to hear from you and I'm glad you're out there again.

Thanks everyone. I'm really happy to be riding again. I haven't gotten to ride anywhere to far away, but I've put down about 1000 miles since I got back on.

You did well to get back on the road so quick?
but still take it slow and steady.

Broke mine and lots of other body parts as well and I still ride. BTW mine hurts more at rest than when I ride.

Thanks everyone. I'm really happy to be riding again. I haven't gotten to ride anywhere to far away, but I've put down about 1000 miles since I got back on.

That's awesome. Glad to have you back on the road, buddy.

You did well to get back on the road so quick?
but still take it slow and steady.

What he said!

Great! Nice to have you back with us on the road!

A big :clap:clap:clap from the Netherlands!

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/20080510_003_Medium_.jpg

Steven I'm glad to hear you are better!