AN AMBITIOUS canoeist is paddling his way back to fitness after injuring his back in a freak accident.

Rob Watson, a 29-year-old chiropodist from Walton Road, Stockton Heath, broke a vertebrae after twisting round in a chair while at work.

But despite numerous x-rays and visits to the doctor, the break was not diagnosed until three years later.

Rob said: "I went to the doctor and I was given pain killers and physiotherapy, but nothing helped.

"When my back started to go into spasms, I was referred to a consultant who looked at my x-rays. He told me that the vertebrae was broken and unless I let him operate I would not be able to live a normal life."

Rob had a selection of rods, pins and screws inserted into his spine during a four hour operation, but shortly afterwards he was admitted to hospital again after one of the screws worked its way loose and his back started to creak.

"Before the operation, I couldn't walk very far and I couldn't even put my socks on," said Rob.

"Even getting in and out of cars was difficult.

"It still aches now and probably will for the rest of my life. The consultant has told me that I only have 20 years life left in my spine, but they will probably do transplants by then."

Rob has been canoeing for 22 years and was keen to get back in his boat as soon as possible. He entered his first slalom competition last weekend and romped home 20 seconds ahead of the other competitors. He now hopes to make his way back up the ranks to national Division One by next year.

"I just never realised that chiropody was such a dangerous sport," added Rob.

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