Dear Doctor, I had a fall on ice from stairs to my driveway outside the house on Feb 17, 2011. Stairs is about 3 feet height . CT Scan report says The alignment is normal.There is a burst fracture involving the superior aspect of the L1 vertebral body. There is about 30 % loss of vertibral height anteriorly. A bony fragment is identified within the spinal canal with compression of the dural asc. The canal measures 0.8 cm. The posterior elements appears intact. Impression: L1 burst fracure. I do not feel much pain and I have been wearing hyper -extension brace(Jewett) for the last 4 weeks and not taking any pain killers.I had taken pain killers during the first week only. I have been home from the fall and my Ortho. surgeon advised me to stay out of work for 6 weeks. My doctor is more concerned about the bony fragment in spinal canal.Awaiting to get a second opinion from an spine specialist. I am a male and 53 yrs old. Based on the information provided here I would like to get some professional advice from you. Thanks, SIVA