I recently fell off a scaffold while doing construction and fractured a vertebra in the lower part of my back. Will I be able to get back to work?

If you were doing heavy labor, you’ve probably got a fifty-fifty chance of going back to your job. Your chances are slightly better if you had surgery that used screws to stabilize your spine. People doing light work have an easier time returning to their jobs after a fracturing a vertebra in their lower spine.


This is a serious type of injury, and you will want to take care of your back to ensure the best possible recovery. You may need to work with a physical therapist to make sure you’re safe to do construction work. A physical therapist can make suggestions about how to do your work safely. A  physical therapist can also be a resource for going in another direction if you simply can’t get back to your former type of work.