T1 Spinous Process Fracture?

[CantChoose]

My husband had mild pain in his back so the doctor sent him for a baseline x-ray. It showed a T1 fracture.

I'm having trouble finding much online. How serious is this? Do spinal fractures heal when the bone is compromised?

[Hidden]

Ouch!

[BarronS]

Only thing I could find is depending on the severity of the fracture, you either put a brace on and let it heal naturally in 3 months or get surgery. I think if your husband has been moving around with it for a bit, it's most likely not going to require surgery and a brace with some pain meds is in order.

Sorry about the situation after such a success with docetaxel. I hope it's just a limited set back.

[CantChoose in reply to BarronS]

Thanks! I will post what the doc says when we talk to her.

The honeymoon period with the docetaxel has worn off. Hit him like a ton of bricks tonight. Achy and heachache. Says he feels like he has the flu.

[BarronS in reply to CantChoose]

This shit is such a constant nightmare. I was out with my dad all day and i'm just laying in bed in disbelief at the future. It's surreal. Really hitting me hard tonight.

So I hope you guys get through this and everything gets much better. I feel for you.

[BerkshireBear]

My partner has lived with a "minor" T12 fracture for a dozen years now. The orthopedic surgeon who sees him (and has successfully fixed other spine problems for both him and myself) says these are sometimes difficult to heal. In some people there's something of an imbalance in the battle between the osteoblasts and osteoclasts and you have to medically treat so that the osteoblasts win. My partner doesn't have any cancer, just the natural ageing of the spine, he is 87. But the problem persists; keeping inflammation down is key. We stay ahead of this with daily inflammation (pain) killers and an occasional narcotic pain killer for a bad day.

[Hidden]

Is there a metastasis at T1? A bone scan with contrast will show it. If not, a kyphoplasty might help. If there is a metastasis, I don't know what to do--I'm suffering from the same thing.

[CantChoose in reply to Hidden]

He has metastases everywhere. We'll let you know what the doc says.

[Hidden]

My husband has many cancer spots in his bones. One causing a fracture on T5. He had kyphoplasty. Really relieved the pain. Not a bad procedure. Out patient and just no lifting for a bit.

[j-o-h-n]

I have no "bone" in the game.... but I've heard back surgery is the last thing you want to do... Ohhh man... Hopefully it's from aging....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

J-o-h-n Monday 07/01/2019 12:22 PM DST

[monte1111]

Got off couch and "sprained" back Friday Jan. 13th 2017. Spent 3 weeks on couch. Lots of pain. End of Feb. had bone scan and pet scan because of psa and biopsy. March 3rd diagnosed Stage 4 with T-12 compression fracture. It had healed pretty much by itself and got annoying back brace. Complications of T-12 fracture include total paralysis below waist. I lift nothing heavier than a 12 oz beer. Scans show it becoming slowly worse. Will have scans this month. I have aches and pains. But from the drugs? The bones getting worse? I quit celebrex for a week and really noticed the difference. One of those stretchy $5 waist things helped a lot. Better than the $1000 back brace. Good luck and take it easy.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

H.S. monte.... Don't know how to console you, except with humor....

The purpose of the little toe on your foot is to make sure all your furniture in the house is place... Take it easy partner....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

J-o-h-n Monday 07/01/2019 10:48 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I can guarantee you when the lights go out none of the furniture is where I left it. And the cats are conspiring, "Now we got him." Enjoy your 4th. Safe and sane.