No Metal in me I too have broken my back 13 years ago fractured one vertebrae (T12) and crushed another (L1), was kept flat in bed for 6 weeks not allowed to bend or move without nurses doing log rolls, then when allowed out of the bed I had to do so with a torso brace from hips to armpit for 8 weeks was riding again after 2 weeks in brace. Thought it would be similar but guess what ..... the Humerus takes a lot longer to knit, anywhere up to 6 months, even now they don't really want me to ride just yet