Ruptured L3-L4 & herniated L5-S1 discs

[Mike Ratledge]

Guys & gals, I have been awfully quiet lately while I was trying to figure out exactly how badly I injured myself nearly 10 days ago when I slipped and caught myself before I totally busted my arse.

The two injured discs are 2 of 3 I busted initially over 20 years ago when I was in an airplane landing accident in San Diego. L5-S1 is basically your "tailbone" or rather the padding between it and your spine. I am likely going to be flat on my back for six weeks (or more), but exactly how long is impossible to predict.

I will follow up with more later, but I wanted y'all to know what was going on since I have several things going on that I have totally ignored for close to two weeks now.

Not much can be done except for rest and taking it very easy until my body regenerates and that just takes time. I have augmented my meds with lots of ibuprofen to help with the swelling, lidocaine patches and Tylenol twice a day. Beyond that, it is just a lot of pain to endure.

I did tape the 52+Joker Diamond Award for the Artist of the Year, but Lee has discretion over whether to utilize it. I am obviously in major pain.

[brownsl]

I hope you get feeling better and appreciate everything you do to keep UC up and running.

[Bradius]

That hurts just reading about it. My left knee is slowly going bad, but I am hoping for five or more years before it gets too bad. I have also found out that when one thing goes bad with your posture, then other stuff gets stressed.

I hope you can get better with just rest and physical therapy and don’t require surgery.

[Harvonsgard]

Get better soon.

[MagikFingerz]

Really sorry to hear, Mike. Rest as much as you can to let it heal.

Is a silver lining that you'll be online more?

[Fes]

Pain is never a good thing and the kind that happens every time you so much as twitch the worst kind. Speedy recovery!

[GandalfTheWhite]

Hope you get better soon. Pain is terrible and hoping it gets better!

[joeblow]

Having had more than enough experience with herniated, I can't imagine that combined with ruptured ones. Hang in there Mike. Hope the meds help a bit.

[rousselle]

Here's to a speedy and *complete* recovery! Feel better soon, and thanks for all you do.

[theCapraAegagrus]

That's unfortunate to read. I hope you recover ASAP, Mike!