A Walking Wreck

I have once again let too much time elapse between updated posts. There is much to tell.

My MRI confirmed the compression fracture, but of T7, not T8. (What's one vertebra between friends?)

For insurance purposes I needed to get a bone density scan. I suspect that they needed to find a problem there that would help explain a compression fracture from a simple accident like falling off a bike that was not moving. The results of this scan were both fortunate and unfortunate. They scanned three places: the lower lumbar region of the spine and the femur necks emerging from the hips, left and right. The unfortunate parts were that all three areas showed reductions in bone density. The lumbar spine area qualified as osteopenia and the femurs as osteoporosis. The latter means considerably increased risk of fracture.The fortunate part is that this qualified me for the kyphoplasty.

Within a week of the MRI and the bone density scan, I was on the table for the kyphoplasty. That was this past Monday. The procedure was about as simple as described. An IV drip contra bacteria. A little conscious sedation. A little recovery. Home in 2.5 hours.

Since then, I have had NO REDUCTION IN PAIN LEVELS. This outcome does not make me very happy, needless to say. The first couple of days I put off any inferences of a poor outcome figuring what was happening was a result of the surgical injury and resultant healing. But I believe that this inference cannot be sustained any longer.

When I arise in the morning my back feels pretty good. By the time I have made a simple breakfast, sat there and eaten it while reading the news--maybe an hour or longer--I have to change positions, move to another chair, get up, etc. The pain at that time sometimes is an 8 on the scale (0-10). It is alleviated by lying down. And, I can go to sleep and apparently rest quite well since I am supine. I can also sleep on my side as well as my back without discomfort. If I have to sneeze or cough, however, the resulting pain almost puts me out.

So, I don't know whether this is nerve pinching, muscles cramping, or some combination thereof. I suspect the latter. I have thought of the analogy of a chain. If you tighten up one link, it may change its relationships with all of the others. I am hopeful that something simple like some directed physical therapy might help defray further problems.

I am doing no meds. I did ice for a couple days after the procedure. So, there is still the Tylenol fallback. And THC gummi bears are not far from my mind, it this turns out to be chronic.

My first follow up visit is next Tuesday when I will find out next steps.....