Hi, friends and family.  Here’s what happened this weekend.  Justin was at a local ski slope on Saturday afternoon, March 19.  The plan was to do some sledding with friends as the ski area was closed yet there was still snow on the ground.  While at the ski area, Justin decided to climb one of the chairlift poles.  As he was coming down, he slipped from the ladder and fell an estimated 20 feet.  He landed on his feet in a muddy area.  The two friends with him helped him to the car and to the emergency room at Fairview Southdale.

At Fairview Southdale, the ER doctors took x-rays and could see his L5 bone in his lower back was compressed.  Justin was feeling a little more comfortable and we transported him to the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital later on Saturday.  We spent time in the emergency room there, and Justin had an MRI.  Once the neurosurgeons reviewed the MRI, they decided to admit him.  We went to bed not knowing whether Justin would be wearing a brace as a treatment option or if surgery would be performed.

Once Dr. Guillaume and Dr. Gupte (neurosurgeons) reviewed the MRI, they decided surgery was the only course of action.  They performed the surgery on his back on Sunday, March 20.  We were told the surgery would take 3-4 hours.  The surgery was 6 hours.  Both doctors let us know that the surgery was successful but it was more complicated than they originally thought.  Justin’s L4 and S1 (bones above and below the L5) were stabilized with screws.  The L5 was stabilized with two rods.  The doctors said the facet joints located between the vertebrae were splayed more than the images would indicate.  This means the rods will be a permanent part of his anatomy.  Even though he has rods in his back, he still should be able to move normally and be athletic.

Thankfully, the L5 bone is below the spinal cord.  However, the area housing the nerve roots near L5 were compressed to only about 10% of the original space.  The dura (the membrane which houses the nerve roots that run below the spinal cord) was punctured and needed to be repaired in the L5 area.  They opened up space above this area near the L4 to relieve the pressure and get the nerves back to their original position.

Justin is under a lot of pain medication right now.  He also will be limited on Monday to laying flat.  Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers and we will try to keep you posted.