Training & Nutrition - Help Needed -General Medical question

I am looking for some advice, and not quite sure on the best location to post. I apologize in advance to those that see this through the cross posts…

I am currently participating in a writing class, and have ridden for a while (blessedly) free of major injuries. The story I am developing focuses on a character that suffers a major accident during a mountain bike race (set in Colorado) – enough that he is told he “will/should never competitively ride again”.

Here is my question. What type of injury, or combination of injuries, would be enough to make a doctor reach that type of conclusion? The rider should still be able to recover (over time, with rehab, etc.)… My original thought was some form of back injury, where part of the spine would need to be fused … does this seem feasible, or are there any other suggestions?

Read up on Saul Raisin...that would be a good place for you to start.

A herniated disk is indeed a wonderful way to cut down a young athlete and render him an old, agonized invalid. I just lost 6 months of my 2007 to a herniated disk that required two surgeries to correct.
Anyone who believes in 'Intelligent Design' should take a look at the human spine:
~A series of 27 bones (vertebrae) stacked with little pads of silly-putty between them
~The silly-putty pillows are highly prone to leakage or bulging
~Major nerve canals run down the inside of these vertebrae THEN exit the boney canal at precisely the junctions which are subject to leaky/mushy silly-putty pillows

I don't know what the hell Darwin was thinking when he designed us, but it seems clear he didn't intend for us to live this long or grow this tall. For four months I was unable to ride a bike, sit in a chair, drive a car

It would be challenging to make this interesting somehow. The only thing worse than listen to someone bellyaching about their back pain, is being the bellyacher yourself.
Good luck.
-Chris in C'bad

Hip or Knee

Spinal trauma with spasticity issues? Spinal cord injury can fit your bill.

My friend a plastic surgeon had a horse jumping accident and can walk but not operate any more, due to her poor fine motor control. I am an RN and used to work trauma transport.....kinda rusty on things, but something along these lines.