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How Long Does An Injury To The Lower Back Take To Heal?
Question: I fell 4 weeks ago on my stairs, smacking my lower back into the tread of the stair. I went to urgent care, they told me it was a lumbar strain and sent me home with muscle relaxers and ibuprofen and told me to follow up with my primary. My primary sent me for xray then called to tell me i fractured L3 and L4 vertebrae. She called in pain meds and recommended I get a brace. Last week i saw an orthopedist as I am still in horrible pain and am concerned about my healing process. I actually had to ask the Dr. to tell me what kind of break I had as she offered me no such information and didn't even show me my xray, after drawing me a picture and then googleing myself I found it is transverse process fractures in my L3 and L4 on the left side. She gave me a steroid. My concern is that she offered really no information on when the pain should get better, what i can and can't do or how to manage it so I heal properly. I was also concerned that she didn't do any further imaging like CT or MRI. I don't want to be a cry baby but I want some more information. I am 37, female, no other health issues.
Brief Answer:
Fracture takes months to heal...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through the details submitted with diligence. It's unfortunate that you fractures spine and based on severity of fracture healing take months to heal. Minimum period of healing time would be 3-4 months. And I agree with your doctor, you should be put on lumbar support / brace which will assist in the healing process.
Further, though X-ray is sufficient to diagnose lumbar fracture, I would opt for MRI scans to look for fine details and to rule out other missed fractures if any. You may discuss with the orthopedic surgeon during next follow up.
Though healing takes time, the pain should gradually reduce and wean off in a few weeks. Using a brace and following your doctor's instruction diligently will help in better pain control.
Hope I have answered your questions. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Fracture takes months to heal...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through the details submitted with diligence. It's unfortunate that you fractures spine and based on severity of fracture healing take months to heal. Minimum period of healing time would be 3-4 months. And I agree with your doctor, you should be put on lumbar support / brace which will assist in the healing process.
Further, though X-ray is sufficient to diagnose lumbar fracture, I would opt for MRI scans to look for fine details and to rule out other missed fractures if any. You may discuss with the orthopedic surgeon during next follow up.
Though healing takes time, the pain should gradually reduce and wean off in a few weeks. Using a brace and following your doctor's instruction diligently will help in better pain control.
Hope I have answered your questions. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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