Back Brace for Fused Spine

[kawi kid]

December 15th of 2013 I suffered a broken hip, three fractures in my pelvis, and a burst fracture of T12 which sent bone fragments into my spinal cord paralyzing me upon impact after bailing from my MX bike 20ft in the air. Fragments were removed, feeling and movement slowly came back throughout the three months in the hospital and now im 100% other than the permanently fused spine, and a slight lack in balance and coordination which forces me to walk with a cane.

So because my spine is fused from mid-thoracic to mid-lumbar with two rods and twelve screws I have to follow "spinal precautions" for the rest of my life meaning I cant bend or twist in any way to avoid putting stress on my vertebrate and the hardware. To sum it up I need a back brace with a rigid construction to keep me from bending over while riding my stand ups. Ive been riding without one for a month and its already getting to me. Hopefully someone knows of something that could help me. Thanks in advance

 

[Jetfiend]

I have back problems too from years of MX and standups. I can tell you that it's going to be really hard to ride a stand up without being able to bend your spine. Not to mention that when you get spit off that SXR, your going to skip across the water and bend in all sort of ways.
Have you considered a fixed steer ski? Maybe a G2X2, blaster, HX or one of these cool Fixed steer A/M hulls people are building? Check out ChadGnarly's Fixed steer Rasta Bot, pretty sweet...

 

[Vumad]

Disclaimer... I'm about to say something stupid you probably should NOT do.

If I were in your situation... I would put on a wetsuit. Then I would have someone wrap me in plastic wrap. Next I would have them wax my plastic wrap body up.
The. I would have them wrap me up in plaster, nice and thick, let dry.

After I remove the plaster, I would sand it, paint it with epoxy primer and paint, then buff it to a high shine. The. I would vacuum infuse a visual carbon fiber brace from the plaster mold.

I would probably be 3 pieces, secures and tightened with nylon straps, over the wet suit.

That's just one option. I would consider all options.

 

[kawi kid]

I've rode with my post surgery "turtle brace" a couple times and although it's made it much more difficult it is still doable with more movement in the hips. I've rode X2's, blasters, and sit downs and none of them are enough fun for me. I've never rode a fixed steer stand up but I predict I would have a similar opinion. Really out of options hobby wise other than UTV racing which I will start in about a year but until then I have to keep riding something

 

[kawi kid]

Disclaimer... I'm about to say something stupid you probably should NOT do.

If I were in your situation... I would put on a wetsuit. Then I would have someone wrap me in plastic wrap. Next I would have them wax my plastic wrap body up.
The. I would have them wrap me up in plaster, nice and thick, let dry.

After I remove the plaster, I would sand it, paint it with epoxy primer and paint, then buff it to a high shine. The. I would vacuum infuse a visual carbon fiber brace from the plaster mold.

I would probably be 3 pieces, secures and tightened with nylon straps, over the wet suit.

That's just one option. I would consider all options.

Actually the brace I just referred to is a Carbon fiber mold of my torso so almost exactly what you said. Problem with it is that it chafes like a SOB and it's too thick to fit a life vest around, unless I go buy a XL

 

[Vumad]

Actually the brace I just referred to is a Carbon fiber mold of my torso so almost exactly what you said. Problem with it is that it chafes like a SOB and it's too thick to fit a life vest around, unless I go buy a XL

That is why I was thinking to make it over a wet suit, maybe you can make it in panels, then use something more elastic than nylon to allow stretch where you need less support.

 

[Jetfiend]

UTV racing will pound your spine too, can't even use your legs for shock.

Good luck finding something that works for you, Vumad seems to be on the right track with some cool ideas.

 

[PLD]

There are definitely a bunch of orthoses available out there. I've helped several pt's with fitment and seen many different stlyes based on their functional level. There is one that comes to mind thats great for the water attaches via felcro and the "supports" are removable. So do you need a tlso? I would think you may need just the lumbrosacral since your injury is t12.

Talk to your doc though, im sure az has different companies vs where I am.

 

[Quinc]

Have you looked into what Travis Pastrana wears and some of the other mx guys that are still racing/riding after similar injuries?

 

[kawi kid]

I've been considering the Bledsoe Ninja Pro TLSO brace
http://www.bledsoebrace.com/products/ninja/

I've navigated in a pro class rzr 1000 since my accident and it was surprisingly painless. In good suspension seats, harnesses, and decently valved shocks I sat copilot for 70 miles without pain.

Quinc: I've looked into some of the mx braces but none are rigid enough, they're all designed to allow bending of the spine.

PLD: All of my doctors are pissed I'm even riding at all, but they have all recommended I wear my "turtle shell" with a larger life vest around it.

 

[Jetfiend]

That Bledsoe Ninja brace looks like it might take some pressure off the spine while allowing some movement. Thanks for posting.

That's great the RZR race didn't bother your injury, I have been looking at one of those for the family.

 

[kawi kid]

That Bledsoe Ninja brace looks like it might take some pressure off the spine while allowing some movement. Thanks for posting.

That's great the RZR race didn't bother your injury, I have been looking at one of those for the family.

That was my concern, apparently they aren't very common so I can't try one on to see how rigid they are.

If your on the fence about a RZR I highly suggest renting one for a day. Your mind will be made up in the first five minutes!

 

[snowxr]

I broke my back this summer t4, t5, t7, but got away with no spinal cord damage, and no surgery. Still a 5 month recovery time, so I'd like to find some sort of brace that would just limit my movement a little to prevent further damage. Any suggestions?

 

[Fro Diesel]

I second the fixed steer solution. Having the steering stationary really takes pressure off my back and reminds me to keep knees bent.

Do you ride surf or flat?

 

[Jetfiend]

I broke my back this summer t4, t5, t7, but got away with no spinal cord damage, and no surgery. Still a 5 month recovery time, so I'd like to find some sort of brace that would just limit my movement a little to prevent further damage. Any suggestions?

Found one that should work just fine for your figure.

 

[kawi kid]

I broke my back this summer t4, t5, t7, but got away with no spinal cord damage, and no surgery. Still a 5 month recovery time, so I'd like to find some sort of brace that would just limit my movement a little to prevent further damage. Any suggestions?

Currently I am riding with my post op brace made by Hanger Braces. Really light weight carbon fiber mold of my torso and im actually learning to like it. Very expensive though if not covered by insurance

I second the fixed steer solution. Having the steering stationary really takes pressure off my back and reminds me to keep knees bent.

Do you ride surf or flat?

Strictly flat water buoy running, occasionally some wake jumping in havasu. I don't know anyone with a fixed steer otherwise I would try one out in a heartbeat since my sxr is killing me.

Found one that should work just fine for your figure.

View attachment 258710

Looks just like my brace but its not carbon fiber! Ill try and take some pictures of it this weekend if I remember.

 

[kawi kid]

So I ended up using my one size too big wakesurf jacket, an Under Armour undershirt and my post of "turtle shell". After some getting used to and some calluses formed on my hips and arms ive gotten used to it and its helped my back tremendously. Other than looking like the Michelin Man in my vest ive got no complaints and am satisfied without potentially spending hundreds more on a new brace.

Thanks for all of the input guys!

 

[snowxr]

After searching online, and seeing what's out there.... I may take a stab at making a composite brace molded to my body. Good news is that I'm a composites technician by trade. Bad news is that I can't do a layup on my own back. Lol. So, I may have to get a coworker to help me out a little.

 

[Vumad]

I'm beginning my 3rd month of crossfit following a lumbar issue that started up to 1 year ago but put me in bed 4 months ago. The increase in core strength and stability has helped dramatically. Still having some issues riding, wont try racing again quite yet, but I rode the other day pain free.

Not just improved core. Improving your hip mobility decreases your need for back mobility. Lots of squats, wall balls, etc get the glutes active and the hips open. Takes a lot of stress off the back. I believe a lot of my problems started from being sedentary during school, which caused weak glutes, tight hips and an unstable core.

 

[Quinc]

I'm beginning my 3rd month of crossfit following a lumbar issue that started up to 1 year ago but put me in bed 4 months ago. The increase in core strength and stability has helped dramatically. Still having some issues riding, wont try racing again quite yet, but I rode the other day pain free.

Not just improved core. Improving your hip mobility decreases your need for back mobility. Lots of squats, wall balls, etc get the glutes active and the hips open. Takes a lot of stress off the back. I believe a lot of my problems started from being sedentary during school, which caused weak glutes, tight hips and an unstable core.

Stretching those hamstrings out after years of sitting is going to make a huge difference. If you can do an overhead squat you are on the right track. If you cannot, you need to get to where you can. Lacross ball and pvc pipe will be your best and most hated friends for getting your hips opened up.