pain after fractures

[angie26]

can I ask what others do for pain please I am unable to take painkillers other than paracetamol. I have had 3 injections so far and the pain is easier for a time but then I'm back to square one! I find that my posture is the main problem, I'm sure if I were able to stand and sit up straight my pain wouldn't be so bad, I can almost feel myself bending forward throughout the day and the pain becoming worse, if that makes sense! I also feel if I wore something to help my posture perhaps the pain wouldn't get to bad or am I barking up the wrong tree!!!

[Hidden]

What injections do you mean?

[angie26 in reply to Hidden]

I had cortisone injections straight into the joints!

[HeronNS]

Wearing something would probably make things worse because then your muscles would lose what strength they have. Have you been offered physiotherapy?

If you go for walks you could consider walking poles, like the Nordic walking poles. They will help you maintain your posture as you walk. If you need to carry something wear a small backpack, as you wouldn't have a free arm to carry a bag. If you do this, start very slowly, a few minutes every couple of days, gradually building up.

[angie26 in reply to HeronNS]

I'm seeing an excercise person on Friday but this is to do with my lung diseas explain the one disease sort of gets mixed up with the other, with 3 fractures in my spine it is difficult to do much in the way of excercise as the pain is insuffreable and then when my breathing gets worse I cannot do the excercise, it's a vicious circle really!! I'll see what this lady says on Friday!

[HeronNS in reply to angie26]

Best wishes. It's amazing what can be done, though. You may get some exercises which seem like "nothing" but what they will do is strengthen something and in a few weeks you may find you can do something else, and so on. My physiotherapist had to train me how to exercise certain very small muscles, not the big ones, and this is what has helped. Takes time, though.

[angie26 in reply to HeronNS]

thank you

[veriterc]

Physio can help - but what is better for me is hydrotherapy.

At the moment have got some new fractures and pain consultant has put me on Bute patches - much better for me than Lidnocaine. Didn't they used to give Bute to horses? !!

[angie26 in reply to veriterc]

Thank you for the reply, I did go to Hydrotherapy but not good for my lungs, ended up with a nasty chest infection! what are bute & Lidnocaine?

[veriterc in reply to angie26]

Lidnocaine = impregranated patches you stick on your skin for 12 hours to relieve pain. They work beautifully on my bruises, but not very good for muscle pain on me.

Buprenorphine = pain relief patches worn for 7 days . Just started on first one and so far seems to work well.

[Walkingdogs]

If it’s spinal fractures you have a back brace will help a lot. My physio recommended it, and mine has been a godsend. My fractures occurred last year and the painkillers only took the edge off the pain. Unfortunately it does seem a long process to recover from these fractures. I still can’t stand for long. As you say, it’s holding yourself upright that’s the problem. If I was you, if you haven’t already gone to a good physio, I’d go. Walking helps me, but at the start it was very painful without the brace. You wouldn’t want to be wearing it all the time though. A hot water bottle on your back will relax the muscles too. I used that a lot at the beginning.

[angie26]

Oh thanks for that, can you tell me what sort of brace you have and where to get one please. I have been to physios and been given an excercise band, no one seems to realise or care about the pain I'm in, I think if you dont suffer then you have no idea, one doctor told me there is nothing we can do for you, and she's a Multeskeletol person in my practice!! I've had these fractures since 2015 and it doesn't get any easier, I hate that I can't wear the clothes in my wardrobe because of my posture, I know that sounds awful but it gets to you in the end!!

[DeannaAlphi]

For a time, the only place I could get pain relief was in a sauna. The heat really helped, so I bought a poncho type thing which was like an electric blanket to wear indoors. An Osteopath helped me more than doctors or physio. We are all different though. Also sitting on a hard good posture chair, always, not sometimes. No sofas. Biggest help was a 12 foot long u shape pillow in bed, on a mattress topper with electric blanket. Really supports me and takes away the pain. Made a huge difference the next day. Keep moving. Wish you well. xx

[Shanif123]

Hello,

I am taking gabapentin prescribed by my G.P. It helps me. Good luck.

[NomoreProlia]

I used a Tens unit, it provides a light electrical vibration that helped tremendously. Also, ice packs and acupuncture.

[angie26 in reply to NomoreProlia]

which tens unit do you use, I tried one in a belt but it was too uncomfortable!!

[NomoreProlia]

I have never heard of one with a belt, I have tried 2 different ones- borrowed a very expensive unit from a friend $250, and bought a $40 unit myself - the only difference was the cheaper one went through batteries faster, but still worth it.

I think I got mine from a company called Tens Pro, here is a link to one of their units:

tenspros.com/tens-3000-anal...

The only difficulty is that you have to hook the unit to a pocket or belt, so if you move around a lot it might not stay as well.

[Posy-White]

Like Veriterc I suggest patches - Lowest dose Butec 5micograms/hour

I'm on the 10 micograms/hour pain level at 4-5-6 out of 10 now, when on the 5micograms/hour my pain was at 6 -7-8 out of 10 -( my 10 being passing out with pain).

I also found a McTimoney Chiropractor extreamly helpful (working is on the muscles not bones and is gentle).

I have a spinal brace but only now that my breath control is 'stronger'

Good Luck do hope you get something that suits you.

Posy White

[Foxy07]

Have you tried a shoulder brace to help with your posture? Are you able to do commit to Pilates before my fracture I found it more helpful than any drugs. Please keep me updated & good luck. Xx

[angie26 in reply to Foxy07]

I haven't tried a shoulder brace, I shall have a look, unless you know of a good one! Unfortunately I cannot do pilates or yoga, I cannot lie on my back for any length of time. I am hoping to go on a 6 week course for nordic walking, it's interesting that you use more muscles than with ordinary walking! I am also looking in to Tia Chi, not too sure about this but they do say it helps, wish me luck, thank you X

[Foxy07]

I have a hot bath with half a bag of magnesium salts, it really helps.