Suggest Treatment For Muscle Strain, Compression Fractures In L1 And L4 Vertebrae

Posted on Fri, 19 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My Husband has 2 COMPRESSION FRACTURES L1 & L4 VERTIBRAE, & MUSCLE STRAIN. Treating Systamatically with a Muscle Relaxer, Advil, & a Heating Pad used off & on throughout the day. Treatment is as per his Internist via Xrays 1 week ago Wednesday on 6/10/15, 5 days after he accidently pulled a 750 LB Tractor over on him, while working on it up on its side. His Dr days should be ok in 6 to 8 weeks. He's doin fine & improving. The PROBLEM IS POSTIONING HIMSELF IN BED AT NIGHT, trying to find a comfortable position. Im afraid he may b doing harm by sleeping on his back without anything under his Knees for elevation, but he says it hurts worse if he tries to di anything else. He dleeps on his side (his favorite position) but it hurts also, We have a fully Adjustable Temperpedic Bed. QUESTION: PLEASE, CAN YOU MAKE SYGGESTIONS AS TO POSITION or POSITIONS HE SHOULD BE SLEEPING IN, FOR COMFORT AS WELL AS BENIFITS?

Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
sleeping on one side is not a bad spine position

Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.

I have dealt with several patients which have had multiple compression fractures with no spinal cord compression, like your husband's case. It is a very painful sort of injury to have.

Fortunately, in these cases the spine will be ok in two monyhs as your doctor said.

it's going to be hard to find a comfortable sleeping position meanwhile. sleeping on one side is not a bad position, with some advocating using a pillow between the legs for the spine to be in a better alignment. If he is ok with this position then do not worry. Just make him place at least a pillow between his legs.

Best of luck - and I hope him heals quickly.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Geldon Fejzo (10 hours later)

Will the Compression Fractures grow nack together in 2 months? Is thT the hope? And will the Spinal chord b ok?

Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
In 2 months stabilisation is expected

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Yes, that is the goal, with the stabilisation of the vertebral bodies, though the complete healing process might take more time, approx a year. The spinal cord instead, should have no problems. wish you the best. Greetings

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Geldon Fejzo (25 hours later)

No more questions. Thsnk you. Very thorough, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome XXXXXXX for any further question when needed. We will be glad to answer you. Greetings

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj