The Jogger
Legendary Member
- Location
- Spain
Good luck with your recovery, at least it seems to be heading in the right direction.
Broken neck and back
- Thread starter Pumpkin the robot
- Start date
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OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
Well, it has been a while, but here is a brief report!
I started cycling again at the start of January and was pretty much up to speed within 4 months, but there are still problems with my neck and elbow when I get beyond 50 miles on rides. I have had a scan on the elbow and the problem is to do with muscle or tendon rubbing the ulnar nerve when the arm is bent (this is the reason I am getting pins and needles in my hand when I am riding and also at night)
I have been having physio up until this week upto 3 times a week, which consisted of exercises they gave me to do (basically stretching the soft tissue in the neck and shoulders) they have also tried acupuncture, putting the neck in traction, soft tissue massage and the tens machine. I am now being referred back to the specialist at the hospital as the physio cannot see any reason why I should not be better than I am at this stage. She thinks they may be another underlying problem.
I had tests with a psychologist and a specialist in brain injuires and they showed I have suffered a moderate brain injury and have a problem remembering and articulating words. I have now been referred to a specialist to see if they can do anything about it. I am also slightly anxious and depressed. (I could have told them that! The money side of things really gets you down when you do not know when the next payment is coming or how much it will be and it is frustrating that the healing process is not as quick as I would like it to be)
I went back to work in July on a phased return. I started off doing 3 half days a week and slowly built it up. This week was my first 40 hour week, but I am still in pain for most of it, especially in the mornings. I am still taking pain relief but I have been trying to cut it out. It seems I can do cycling or work, but not both and as the work pays the bills my cycling has suffered in the last few months. Last month I cycled 300 miles, I used to do that in a week.
The bones in the neck have not healed and probably never will, but the specialist has told me that they are probably only 5-10% weaker than a fully healed bone so the chances of damaging my spinal chord in another crash are only slightly higher than if they were healed.
I have been given membership to the gym. The physio feels that more swimming would help and also using the steam room to get some heat into the neck. I have an injury membership that means I also get a personal trainer to advise me as well.
The claim side of things is moving along slowly. I expect it to go on for a few more years yet. So far I have received 20k in interim payments to cover wages. that is still down by quite a bit on what I am owed and an ongoing thing as although I am back to work, I am not doing thr overtime I was before the accident. We have still not agreed a price on the bike (my fault as I should be taking it to a specialist in Derby for appraisel but he needs to have it for a week and i am riding it!)
Some people at work have told me I will be ok when I get the final payment, but to be honest I would rather have not gone through all of this no matter what I get at the end of it. I have basically lost 15 months of my life so far not being able to do what I want and will have long term injuries.
On the plus side I have got my confidence back riding on the road, but I certainly ride little more defensively. If that means cars etc have to wait, tough!
I started cycling again at the start of January and was pretty much up to speed within 4 months, but there are still problems with my neck and elbow when I get beyond 50 miles on rides. I have had a scan on the elbow and the problem is to do with muscle or tendon rubbing the ulnar nerve when the arm is bent (this is the reason I am getting pins and needles in my hand when I am riding and also at night)
I have been having physio up until this week upto 3 times a week, which consisted of exercises they gave me to do (basically stretching the soft tissue in the neck and shoulders) they have also tried acupuncture, putting the neck in traction, soft tissue massage and the tens machine. I am now being referred back to the specialist at the hospital as the physio cannot see any reason why I should not be better than I am at this stage. She thinks they may be another underlying problem.
I had tests with a psychologist and a specialist in brain injuires and they showed I have suffered a moderate brain injury and have a problem remembering and articulating words. I have now been referred to a specialist to see if they can do anything about it. I am also slightly anxious and depressed. (I could have told them that! The money side of things really gets you down when you do not know when the next payment is coming or how much it will be and it is frustrating that the healing process is not as quick as I would like it to be)
I went back to work in July on a phased return. I started off doing 3 half days a week and slowly built it up. This week was my first 40 hour week, but I am still in pain for most of it, especially in the mornings. I am still taking pain relief but I have been trying to cut it out. It seems I can do cycling or work, but not both and as the work pays the bills my cycling has suffered in the last few months. Last month I cycled 300 miles, I used to do that in a week.
The bones in the neck have not healed and probably never will, but the specialist has told me that they are probably only 5-10% weaker than a fully healed bone so the chances of damaging my spinal chord in another crash are only slightly higher than if they were healed.
I have been given membership to the gym. The physio feels that more swimming would help and also using the steam room to get some heat into the neck. I have an injury membership that means I also get a personal trainer to advise me as well.
The claim side of things is moving along slowly. I expect it to go on for a few more years yet. So far I have received 20k in interim payments to cover wages. that is still down by quite a bit on what I am owed and an ongoing thing as although I am back to work, I am not doing thr overtime I was before the accident. We have still not agreed a price on the bike (my fault as I should be taking it to a specialist in Derby for appraisel but he needs to have it for a week and i am riding it!)
Some people at work have told me I will be ok when I get the final payment, but to be honest I would rather have not gone through all of this no matter what I get at the end of it. I have basically lost 15 months of my life so far not being able to do what I want and will have long term injuries.
On the plus side I have got my confidence back riding on the road, but I certainly ride little more defensively. If that means cars etc have to wait, tough!
- Location
- Glasgow
You are doing very well imo, keep at it.
The fact that you can't get your bike assessed because you're riding it made me smile, I don't think I would be as brave as you in the circumstances.
The fact that you can't get your bike assessed because you're riding it made me smile, I don't think I would be as brave as you in the circumstances.
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
I was referred back to the specialist at Salford Royal in December, as my physio thought there was nothing more they could do, and I am still getting pain in the neck. The specialist said there were no bones pushing on the spine or any of the nerves so there is nothing they can do. The bones have not joined and they could take the broken parts out, but that is not without problems, so they would not consider this. I have been told of a physio in Manchester that specialise in sport injuries and I am going to make an appointment to see them. it is not cheap (£100 an hour!) but if they can sort things out it is money well spent.
The last few months have not been great. I stopped cycling to see if that helped. It didn't. I did less hours to see if that helped. It didn't. Nothing seems to ease the pain and my doctor just tells me to up the doe of the Tramadol.
I have been back at work for nearly 6 months and managed to do 2 full weeks in that time. My job can be quite physical at times, so I am considering a change of occupation. A guy I have done work for in the past has offered me some design work on a subcontract basis. I have not done any design work for a while, but it is a chance to get back into it and away from cnc machining, so I will try it in my spare time to start with and see if I can do it on a full time basis.
The last few months have not been great. I stopped cycling to see if that helped. It didn't. I did less hours to see if that helped. It didn't. Nothing seems to ease the pain and my doctor just tells me to up the doe of the Tramadol.
I have been back at work for nearly 6 months and managed to do 2 full weeks in that time. My job can be quite physical at times, so I am considering a change of occupation. A guy I have done work for in the past has offered me some design work on a subcontract basis. I have not done any design work for a while, but it is a chance to get back into it and away from cnc machining, so I will try it in my spare time to start with and see if I can do it on a full time basis.
Mrs M
Guru
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
Sorry to hear you're still having pain.
I've been down the "just keep taking Tramadol" road and it's not a good one.
Finally found a good surgeon who repaired the previous botch. That and a good osteopath sorted me out, still get some pain but much better than before and just got used to it. (I had fractured and dislocated pelvis, so different from your injury).
Good luck with the physio in Manchester, really hope he can help.
Maybe you could consider a second opinion from another surgeon?
My two were chalk and cheese and if I hadn't persevered and went elsewhere I'm sure things wouldn't be as good as they are now.
Hope you get sorted and back on the bike, best wishes, xx.
I've been down the "just keep taking Tramadol" road and it's not a good one.
Finally found a good surgeon who repaired the previous botch. That and a good osteopath sorted me out, still get some pain but much better than before and just got used to it. (I had fractured and dislocated pelvis, so different from your injury).
Good luck with the physio in Manchester, really hope he can help.
Maybe you could consider a second opinion from another surgeon?
My two were chalk and cheese and if I hadn't persevered and went elsewhere I'm sure things wouldn't be as good as they are now.
Hope you get sorted and back on the bike, best wishes, xx.
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
I will chase every avenue I can to improve things, pain killers are not the answer as far as I am concerned!
- Location
- Glasgow
Hope you'll get better soon.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Martin, I know we are PM'ing, but good luck. Any chance getting the third party insurer to cough up for the specialist physio first ?
I reccon I'll have some long term issues too, but hold on in there. Keep pushing to see someone in the know. It did take 4.5 years to sort my shoulder claim out.
Hope the physio helps.
I reccon I'll have some long term issues too, but hold on in there. Keep pushing to see someone in the know. It did take 4.5 years to sort my shoulder claim out.
Hope the physio helps.
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
I have been to see the new physio (funding it myself and claiming it back from the insurance company) and I am hopeful that they can sort something out. They think I have a muscle imbalance. The muscles at the front of my neck are not developed enough and so the ones at the back are over compensating. I have some exercises to do to help build the front up and the physio freed the neck off on the 2 visits I have made. I feel alot better after I have been, but it only lasts for about 12 hours, but at least it is a step in the right direction. This year I have still not done a full week of work, so I am still looking at a change of career, I looked at the money for cad design work and it is lower pay than I am getting now so I just don't know what to do the moment!
Sleep is still a bit hit and miss, but it is better than it was and I think if I can get into a regular sleeping pattern it will improve a bit more.
I have started riding the bike again and managed a 63 mile ride a couple of weeks ago, which is a big improvement over what I had been doing in the last few months, but is quite a way short of what I used to do. Small steps though!
Sleep is still a bit hit and miss, but it is better than it was and I think if I can get into a regular sleeping pattern it will improve a bit more.
I have started riding the bike again and managed a 63 mile ride a couple of weeks ago, which is a big improvement over what I had been doing in the last few months, but is quite a way short of what I used to do. Small steps though!
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Keep at it 
Ganymede
Veteran
- Location
- Rural Kent
I think physio is a slow road but, with the small improvements you're getting with your neck when it's released, it should be a positive one. Good luck!
OP
OP
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
Well it is over three years since the accident and the insurance claim is still ongoing. Court preceedings have been issued and paid for, but my new solicitor thinks they will try and settle before it goes to court. The claim is for over 600k at the moment, mainly due to the loss of future earnings.
Physically I am still suffering. I have changed jobs four times in 2 years. I cannot do the job I used to do, on average I take 4 days a month off work due to the pain. I have recently joined a company that enables me to spend less time on the shop floor and more time in the office, but even sitting in a chair all day has it's problems for me. A specialist I saw a few years ago said I may have to give up work by the time I am 55 (10 years from now). I thought he was just saying that for the claim, but as things have gone on, I think that it may be sooner than that.
I am still cycling, but I have had to adapt the way I ride. I can no longer ride the longer distances I used to do, and I cannot attack hills at all, but at least I am still able to ride a bike. The hardest part of all of this is getting used to the fact i will not recover from it. Accidents and injuries I have had in the past have always healed, and for a couple of years after this one I still thought I would get over it one way or another, but I have now accepted that is not the case. If I want to do a long ride I have to accept I will be in pain for days after, but I now pick and choose the rides I want to do with a little more thought into what I will get from the ride compared with the pain.
I saw a pain management team last year and they have given me a few techniques that have helped. They informed me that the pain receptors in my neck are now turned on all the time and I am on a very low dose of amitrytyline to help alleviate a bit of the pain. I don't know if it works, but my girlfriend says I do not complain as much, so it must be doing some good.
Sleep is one of the biggest problems I have. It is difficult to get into a decent sleeping pattern. I struggle to get off to sleep and most nights wake up two or three times. I use a prescription drug that is used for motion sickness that also has the side effect of making you drowsy. It helps me to drop off if I do wake up, but it can also mean I oversleep in the mornings and therefore late for work. I have discussed this with my new company and as long as they are informed as much as possible about days off and when I will be late they are happy to make allowances for me.
All of this because one driver did not look before pulling out of a junction.
Physically I am still suffering. I have changed jobs four times in 2 years. I cannot do the job I used to do, on average I take 4 days a month off work due to the pain. I have recently joined a company that enables me to spend less time on the shop floor and more time in the office, but even sitting in a chair all day has it's problems for me. A specialist I saw a few years ago said I may have to give up work by the time I am 55 (10 years from now). I thought he was just saying that for the claim, but as things have gone on, I think that it may be sooner than that.
I am still cycling, but I have had to adapt the way I ride. I can no longer ride the longer distances I used to do, and I cannot attack hills at all, but at least I am still able to ride a bike. The hardest part of all of this is getting used to the fact i will not recover from it. Accidents and injuries I have had in the past have always healed, and for a couple of years after this one I still thought I would get over it one way or another, but I have now accepted that is not the case. If I want to do a long ride I have to accept I will be in pain for days after, but I now pick and choose the rides I want to do with a little more thought into what I will get from the ride compared with the pain.
I saw a pain management team last year and they have given me a few techniques that have helped. They informed me that the pain receptors in my neck are now turned on all the time and I am on a very low dose of amitrytyline to help alleviate a bit of the pain. I don't know if it works, but my girlfriend says I do not complain as much, so it must be doing some good.
Sleep is one of the biggest problems I have. It is difficult to get into a decent sleeping pattern. I struggle to get off to sleep and most nights wake up two or three times. I use a prescription drug that is used for motion sickness that also has the side effect of making you drowsy. It helps me to drop off if I do wake up, but it can also mean I oversleep in the mornings and therefore late for work. I have discussed this with my new company and as long as they are informed as much as possible about days off and when I will be late they are happy to make allowances for me.
All of this because one driver did not look before pulling out of a junction.
Mrs M
Guru
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
Best wishes
xx
- Location
- Manchester
Best wishes.
It's good to hear from you. Shocking that the claim has taken so long to settle. Well done for getting out on the bike.
It's good to hear from you. Shocking that the claim has taken so long to settle. Well done for getting out on the bike.
