# So, I broke my neck Sunday **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 20, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435 "2015-05-20T17:18:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/1 "2015-05-20T17:18:11Z")
…technically. I was in the garage, using an extension ladder to put crap up in the rafter storage. My wife said, as she was going out the door, “be careful you don’t fall off the ladder.” I said Oh, pshaw…that stuff never happens to me. As I was falling, in the .1 seconds before I fell 5 feet and hit the concrete flat on my back, I thought Oh crap, I’m falling; my wife was right; and this is going to be ugly. I’d made it to 61 years of age without ever breaking anything; riding in an ambulance; spending the night in a hospital; or having a CT scan. Checked all those boxes in one day. 2 lumbar and 1 cervical fracture. It could have been a hell of a lot worse – I didn’t hit my head; my spinal column was never in danger; and no surgery was needed. The treatment is 6-8 weeks in a back brace and rigid neck collar; and Norco as needed. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/2 "2015-05-20T17:20:40Z")
I’ve seen the movie Clerks. Your wife left. I know what you were really doing 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/3 "2015-05-20T17:27:38Z")
Develop any superpowers yet? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/4 "2015-05-20T17:33:52Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Develop any superpowers yet? No, but it’s early. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/5 "2015-05-20T17:34:17Z")
Don’t you have any neighborhood youngin’s you can foist that duty upon in exchange for some hard candy? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/6 "2015-05-20T17:40:21Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I’d made it to 61 years of age without ever breaking anything; I didn’t make it to 11. > [@jsc1953](#): > > riding in an ambulance; spending the night in a hospital; I didn’t make it to 18. If your wife tells you to carry the scissors the right way, are you going to listen to her? Are you going to stop asking her for a BB gun? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/7 "2015-05-20T18:23:15Z")
As one 61-year old to another, listen to your wife!\* Seriously, I’m glad you didn’t hit your head or do any worse damage, and I hope your recovery is uneventful. - I’d have gone up the ladder too.:o ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/8 "2015-05-20T18:41:50Z")
Well, that’s one way to go about getting almost two months of pampering. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/9 "2015-05-20T21:36:47Z")
> [@Dr.Woo](#): > > As one 61-year old to another, listen to your wife!\* > > Seriously, I’m glad you didn’t hit your head or do any worse damage, and I hope your recovery is uneventful. > > - I’d have gone up the ladder too.:o That’s the thing – she didn’t say, “don’t go up that ladder.” She just said, “don’t fall off.” I get advice like that sometimes, and I’m never sure what to do with it. Of course I wasn’t _intending_ to fall off but for the person advising me not to. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/10 "2015-05-20T22:56:29Z")
You’re lucky that your spinal cord wasn’t damaged. It’s going to feel like a long time in a body brace. Don’t be a he-man, take those pain-killers as needed! Get well soon! ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/11 "2015-05-21T00:39:03Z")
Ouch and wince, Glad you didn’t hurt yourself in the worst way, though what you describe sounds like no fun. Hoping for your speedy recovery! I’ve worked in industrial settings my whole career. I initially scoffed at the first place I worked that mandated that everyone more than 4 ft off the ground wear a full harness. But I’ve seen enough people injured, and badly, from falls that don’t sound that high. A previous plant even had a poor guy die after a fall from moderate height. Be really, really careful when you’re off the ground. Take more precautions than you think you need. Gravity doesn’t really care how smart or skilled you think you are. Get well soon! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/12 "2015-05-21T01:06:15Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Develop any superpowers yet? > [@jsc1953](#): > > No, but it’s early. Pickings are a little slim this year, I’m afraid. We can let you have _proportional strength of a ladder_, or _proportional intelligence of a garage floor_. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/13 "2015-05-21T01:23:04Z")
Ladders are familiar and familiarity can breed lack of care. They are actually fairly deadly: 43% of all fatal falls involve a ladder. [INDENT][INDENT] In 2011, work-related ladder fall injuries (LFIs) resulted in 113 fatalities (0.09 per 100,000 full-time equivalent\* [FTE] workers), an estimated 15,460 nonfatal injuries reported by employers that involved ≥1 days away from work (DAFW), and an estimated 34,000 nonfatal injuries treated in EDs. [Emergency Departments] [/INDENT][/INDENT] [Occupational Ladder Fall Injuries — United States, 2011](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6316a2.htm) Safety Tips! This website gives somewhat different accident stats. [http://www.cultureofsafety.com/safety-tips/ladder-safety/](http://www.cultureofsafety.com/safety-tips/ladder-safety/) [INDENT][INDENT]According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50% of all ladder-related accidents were due to individuals carrying items as they climbed. … While using a ladder always maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder to ensure stability. Also, never attempt to reach for something while on the ladder. It is much safer to get off the ladder, move it, and then climb back up. [/INDENT][/INDENT] Glad you’re doing relatively well, jsc1953. Ouch! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/14 "2015-05-21T02:09:02Z")
My dad is 64, and he’s fallen off ladders twice in the past year or so. Probably would have broken his neck this last time if he didn’t already have a plate in it from degeneration :-/ He either bruised or broke some ribs though. No doubt his balance/agility is off due to a smaller range of motion in his neck. I am going to start a campaign, Concerned Daughters Against Spotter-less Ladder Climbing. Next time you go up, ask for help! Anyway, glad you’re still here with us able to type. Speedy recovery! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/15 "2015-05-21T07:31:51Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Ladders are familiar and familiarity can breed lack of care. They are actually fairly deadly: 43% of all fatal falls involve a ladder. I knew a guy who was involved in a fatal fall involving Mt. Whitney. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/16 "2015-05-21T12:14:40Z")
I know a guy who chose Fourth of July weekend to do repairs on his roof. His wife was traveling, so she wasn’t there to object. After the work was done, he stepped back to look at the repair, and landed flat on his back on the ground. He laid quietly for a bit, assuming he was mortally injured. Then he tried yelling for help, but nobody was around to hear. Eventually he tried wiggling toes and moving fingers. Finally, he stood up. Not a scratch. He told me the story, but never told his wife. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/17 "2015-05-21T12:36:50Z")
> [@Dr.Woo](#): > > As one 61-year old to another, listen to your wife!\* > > Seriously, I’m glad you didn’t hit your head or do any worse damage, and I hope your recovery is uneventful. > > - I’d have gone up the ladder too.:o I’m 63 and a bachelor, so I don’t have a lot of choice in the matter. Oh, for roof work and such I’m well-enough off to hire work, but for changing air filters and lights (have a 9.5’ ceiling with chandaliers (sp), well, it’s up the old 4-stepper–and yes, I have come close twice in the past year to losing my balance. And it truth, it scares me a bit, since nearest family is 400 miles away and why I get along fine with the neighbors, they would think nothing of not seeing me for several days… Have thought about getting one of those emergency systems that you can contact if you have an accident. Not yet, but it is in the back of my mind. Get well soon jsc and let us know how you’re doing. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/18 "2015-05-21T12:40:42Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Are you going to stop asking her for a BB gun? Because, you know, you’ll shoot your eye out. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/19 "2015-05-21T14:42:24Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > My dad is 64, and he’s fallen off ladders twice in the past year or so. Probably would have broken his neck this last time if he didn’t already have a plate in it from degeneration :-/ He either bruised or broke some ribs though. No doubt his balance/agility is off due to a smaller range of motion in his neck. > > I am going to start a campaign, Concerned Daughters Against Spotter-less Ladder Climbing. Next time you go up, ask for help! > > Anyway, glad you’re still here with us able to type. Speedy recovery! CDASLC? That’s going to look horrid on a t-shirt. I wish you a speedy recovery, **jsc**. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435/20 "2015-05-21T15:06:37Z")
Thank you all for the well wishes – I’m doing well enough to keep track of this thread, as you can see. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-broke-my-neck-sunday/720435.md?page=2)