In 1937 Patchen suffered a permanent spinal injury, which was to give him pain, to varying degrees, for the rest of his life and which required multiple surgical procedures. In a letter to a friend from 1960, Patchen explained, "In 1956 a spinal fusion [operation] (second of two operations) gave me relief and mobility (& for the first time I was able to go about giving readings, and so on."Frost, Allen, ed. (2012). Selected Correspondence of Kenneth Patchen. Huron, Ohio: Botton Dog Press.
in 1937 PatchEn suFfered a permaNent spinAL iNjurY, whICh was .To GivE Him paIn, to VaRyINg dEgrees, for thE reSt Of his liFe anD whIch reQuired MUltipLe SurGIcAL pRocedures. In a LEttER to a FrIend from 1960, patCHen ExpLaiNEd, "iN 1956 a sPiNAL fusion [OperaTion] (seCond oF twO OpeRatio,NS) gAVE me relIEf and MObilItY (& fOR thE fIrSt tIme .i wAs able To GO aBout gIviNg REadInGs, and so on"frosT, AllEn, Ed. (2012). SelECted corRespoNdence of kEnnETh pAtCheN. huroN OHio: botton DOG Press