cropp 0 #1 November 30, 2003 last easter 2003 i had an accident were i sustained a broken back and a very badly broken leg some 8 months later i am sitt walking with a severe limp and have a large metal plate running from my ankle up to about 4 inch from my knee. my back injury is about cleared up and my back specialist says i can jump again, but my leg doctor says i should not jump while i still have steel in my leg. and he doesnt want to take it out for another 12 months. has anyone any thoughts on this, maybe been in a simular situation or are medically quolified. I would appreciate an email on this. please send emails to [email protected] as i get to much junc mail on my personal email Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #2 November 30, 2003 Get a second opinion. I know of several jumpers who do jump with metal, but others whose doctors have advised them not to... get a second opinion. if it agrees with the first, listen to it. if not, get a third opinion and go wtih the majority. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #3 November 30, 2003 QuoteGet a second opinion. I know of several jumpers who do jump with metal, but others whose doctors have advised them not to... get a second opinion. if it agrees with the first, listen to it. if not, get a third opinion and go wtih the majority. *** GREAT ADVICE! I have a lot of steel in my lower back, it does effect the things I do as far as becoming very moderate in the 'types' of jumps I do... If an MD or two says hold off... Then hold off...you will eventually heal up and get back in the air... it's not worth pushing you well being! It's a hobby / sport...not an NFL contract for millions! When you're okay to start up again... We'll be here !!! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymick 0 #4 December 1, 2003 What exactly did you do to your back? I busted my back (crushed L1) in may and am full of metal right now, wont get it out till probably mid - late next year. my doc said not to jump till i get it out obviously. I've spoken to an ex-jumper/doc and other people with similar injuries and the news was a bit more encouraging So i think the main thing is to get as many qualified opionions as possible, especially from people with a medical/skydiving background as they will understand the risks involved. You just gotta be aware of the consequences if you frap in again. Quote i am sitt walking with a severe limp However, if you cant even take full weight on your leg it might be best to wait until you can walk properly on it. Anyway good luck with it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoHawley 0 #5 December 1, 2003 We are missing you at 13 000ft, honey, but don't rush! I know it's frustrating, so why not come do a bit of wind tunnel whilst sitting out the winter? And get a bigger canopy for a while when you do come back! Love always Jo x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #6 December 1, 2003 You have no jump numbers listed in your profile, so I'm assuming you have very low jump numbers. I broke my femur skydiving when I had 150 jumps - and waited until the plate was out before I jumped again. Bones bend. The metal in your leg (Usually a high carbon stainless or tianium) is very brittle, to avoid the cenario of it bending under load and the bone setting skew. While a second opinion is good, don't go hunting for the answer you want. Medical science is not a democracy. We know that jumping is dangerous. Jumping in your condition - particularly with the potential for low experience, is more dangerous. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #7 December 2, 2003 QuoteWhat exactly did you do to your back? I busted my back (crushed L1) in may and am full of metal right now, wont get it out till probably mid - late next year. my doc said not to jump till i get it out obviously. I've spoken to an ex-jumper/doc and other people with similar injuries and the news was a bit more encouraging So i think the main thing is to get as many qualified opionions as possible, especially from people with a medical/skydiving background as they will understand the risks involved. However, if you cant even take full weight on your leg it might be best to wait until you can walk properly on it. Anyway good luck with it... I had severe scoliosis when I started jumping that got worse during the first 2.5 years in the sport. it eventually made me quit b/c of the pain. by the time I was 21 the scoliosis had become 62 degrees and was progressing about 8 degrees a year. It had become essentially terminal. I had to get it fused. I now have at least 6 vertebrae fused, but I never got the exact count. I was in so much pain at the time I didnt give a flying flip. 6 is just what I judged from my x rays. I had titanium put in, but they used a new technique that uses a bunch of small rods instead of a few longer big ones. I have made just over 200 jumps since then and been fine. I was back in the air after 5 months. I dont necessarily recommend what I did or am doing but I have been fine. (and ive had some wipe outs and one or two hard openings) it really depends on the specifics of your surgery, your body, your tolerance for risk or pain. I personally have been fine, and I still have the metal to this day. Blue Ones ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymick 0 #8 December 2, 2003 Quote now have at least 6 vertebrae fused, but I never got the exact count. I was in so much pain at the time I didnt give a flying flip. 6 is just what I judged from my x rays. Is the metal going to be permanent? What did your doc tell you about jumping again? Also does anyone know if rods or plates that are used for a year or so any different to metal that is meant to be permanently left in the body? (is it going to be more stonger etc?) Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #9 December 2, 2003 QuoteQuote now have at least 6 vertebrae fused, but I never got the exact count. I was in so much pain at the time I didnt give a flying flip. 6 is just what I judged from my x rays. Is the metal going to be permanent? What did your doc tell you about jumping again? The metal is going to be permenant unless it starts to bother me and I want it taken out. My doctor told me I should never skydive again, but he was old and old fashioned and probably basing that decision on how things used to be in our sport. I got a second opinion from someone who was actually into outdoor stuff, and he said it wouldnt be a problem as long as I don't take a large amount of impact directly to the base of my spine. He said I could do it, just be sensible and aware of it. Also does anyone know if rods or plates that are used for a year or so any different to metal that is meant to be permanently left in the body? (is it going to be more stonger etc?) I don't know the answer to that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
