Managing compression fractures

[Lopera]

I have 6 compression fractures recently discovered. I'm finding that I cannot hold my upper body up without leaning on something or a walking stick. Is this because my core has become very weak and can I expect improvement if I am able to strengthen my core? I need some hope!

[Lilbil]

Hi Lopera

I have 8 spinal compressions fractures and have lost 5 inches. I also felt I couldn’t hold myself up and suffered bad back spasms. My consultant prescribed me a Spinomed active back brace, this has been amazing after getting use to wearing it ( photo sent).

If you are in the UK you can get them on prescription but you need to be measured as they are made especially for you. Hope this is helpful I can now walk further and do some Pilates.

Spinomed active back brace

[Lopera in reply to Lilbil]

Thank you Lilbil, I am very interested in this back brace. I have been referred to the osteoporosis clinic but have yet to receive an appointment. I will ask about this when I go.

[MCW22 in reply to Lilbil]

I'm in the UK and have asked numerous times about a back brace and get the same response from everyone I've asked. "No we don't recommend braces, they weaken your muscles". I think what they really mean is they are too expensive and we don't want to spend the money.

[Lilbil in reply to MCW22]

Hi MCW22 I think you are right about the costs, these Spinomed active braces are made to measure and fitted to your shape. I feel that they don’t weaken my muscles they help to maintain my posture and stop my kyphosis from getting worse, it also helps with the muscle spasms. This brace was prescribed by my consultant and I’m so grateful as I can go out walking my dog and do Pilates with my brace on and my core muscles have improved. Hope you can get sorted

[Lopera in reply to Lilbil]

Hi Lilbil

If it's not too intrusive, may I ask what part of the UK you are in. I am East Midlands but have yet to see a consultant.

[Lilbil in reply to Lopera]

Hi Lopera I’m in Merseyside

[Lopera in reply to Lilbil]

I was hoping you would say East Midlands!

[Lilbil in reply to Lopera]

Hi Lopera I don’t see why where you live should effect your treatments, when it’s all under the NHS, hope you can get sorted

[Lopera in reply to Lilbil]

Thank you, I will do my best.

[stave49]

hi from California I only have 2 compression fractures and I’ve lost 4 inches in height. My pain is bad in the cold it’s worse. Nothing I’ve found gives me any relief. No pain pill help. Good luck to you.

[Lopera in reply to stave49]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you can find nothing to relieve your pain. I have lost 5.5 inches but fortunately am no longer in great pain. I'm just hoping that if I strengthen my core, I might be able to hold myself up without a stick. I recognise I won't get rid of the stoop. Take care.

[Pineau in reply to stave49]

Hi stave, are your fractures just recent? I have 6 fractures, 4 of which are recent and 3 of which are compression fractures. I've lost 5 inches in height. I found the unbearable pain from fresh fractures took almost 6 months to gradually go away and no medication really seemed to help much at that stage. However, I have always found BioFreeze Gel relieves the pain considerably and the relief is instant. It also seems to relax my back muscles and the warm feeling it generates is very comforting. I also find wearing a fleecy thermal vest really helps, I even wear one under my pj's!!! Now all the bad pain has gone and I am much more mobile again, just have a strong ache when standing or walking, which I'm hoping physio might help. I hope this will give you some encouragement!! Hang on in there!

[Pineau in reply to Pineau]

By the way, don't know how this pic got in my profile but it's not me!! I'll have to get it sorted !!

[stave49 in reply to Pineau]

Thanks for the tips. One fracture is over 25 years old the others are more recent. S1 has a crack developed so it’s next. I have serious lung diseases too so I am unable to lay flat but when I must for MRI or X-ray s it’s extremely painful. I’m 71 years old and feel much older now. I’m also having my fourth joint replacement this time my left knee soon. I worked with my hands most of my life and a physical job is always harder on our bodies than say a desk job. Thanks again stave49.

[walk21]

I have many fractures over many years. I recommend doing as much exercise as you can once the acute pain has lessened. I have done Pilates and I walk with Nordic poles. I look bent, but at 88 I still do most of the housework and I walk to the shops, or several miles for pleasure. I suggest you look at the Royal Osteoporosis Society website as they can tell you how to take care how you get going again

[Lopera in reply to walk21]

Hi, I have heard a lot of people mention Nordic walking. I would like to set that as a goal but don't know if I have to be able to hold my body up first without an aid. I am doing some core exercises at the moment but am not yet in a position to walk anywhere apart from pottering about the house. I have joined the ROS but was interested in other people's experience. All the best.

[walk21 in reply to Lopera]

It all takes time. Hope you soon feel a bit more comfortable. Go carefully.

[stave49 in reply to walk21]

Wow 88 and that active. My hat is off to you!!! That’s the spirit never give up or give in!

[Missus835]

Hi there. Yes and I have 10 compression fractures. My back is in a lot of pain, trying to hold myself upright. It gets verrry tired. I can still do most things (with pain). My core is very weak, probably alot to do with the PMR and fibro I also have. I do lean on things to get around. Fortunately, I normally sleep well, tonight being an exception. I have a rollator, but not so much around my apartment now (use mostly outdoors for walks). The more walking, the better as weight-bearing exercise is best. If you can't get out, then walk around your home. I do get a lot of muscle spasms back and front. I've lost 3 inches and am now quite bent over. My stomach and diaphragm are quite compressed also, so deep breaths are difficult as well as eating a regular sized meal. I'm supposed to start PT after the referral comes through, but the last time I started, I think I was doing the exercises incorrectly at home and probably damaged myself more. All the best to you. Try to keep moving. Get a grabber for reaching down and up. Watch how you twist your body (don't if possible). I've broken all these rules many times. LOL.

[Lopera in reply to Missus835]

Hi, I agree, the compression of stomach and diaphragm is difficult and I am terrified I'll end up with a hernia. I have lost 5.5 inches so quite squashed. I'm keen to get as fit as possible under the circumstances but also wary of braking anything else. I haven't yet seen anyone to prescribe any bone building drug or bone retention drug. A grabber is a good idea, I wasn't very tall to begin with!

[Missus835 in reply to Lopera]

I am on annual Zoledronic Acid infusions for bone sparing..My second infusion is Dec 13. I'm going to look into the Spinomed brace. It would be better to strengthen the muscles thru exercise though. I just need to be more mobile with less pain. One of co-members has this brace and she says that and transdermal patches changed her life.

[Jemima48]

I'm interested to know what, if any, medication people were on before their compression fractures. I've just had one after alendronic acid and am desperately hoping that teriparatide will stave off any more. Thank you and best wishes to all who are suffering.

[Rooruby in reply to Jemima48]

I to was on Alendronic Acid and suffered fracture and now 1 month on Teriparatide. I personally don't use opiate based meds due to side effects I prefer heat pads etc. I agree pain is somtimes so bad.Good luck

[Walkingdogs]

Hi Lopera, I had 5 fractures, and found that a brace helped when having to stand for a while, or when out walking. It took a while, but eventually was able to do without the brace. I’d just advise not to rely on the brace, as your back muscles need to strengthen. After 6 years I still find I can’t stand for longer than an hour at a time without feeling I need to rest my back. Other than that, I don’t have any back pain. Unfortunately there’s no quick fix, but you’ll get there. I find a daily walk helps a lot. Hope you feel better soon. 🙂

[Lopera in reply to Walkingdogs]

Thank you for your reply. That is what I wanted to hear. Right now I need to hear there’s light at the end of the tunnel and I’ll be able to join my husband walking the dog. 🦮

[Posy-White]

Hello Lopera

7 years on and I'm still improving on my core strength after 8 fractures and like others lost height. Physio suggest I used crutches as it was felt the Nordic poles didn't offer me enough support - the smart crutches suited me the best. I do physio exercises every day without my brace on, but am able to stay 'up right' and with better posture with a brace on. Started with the Spinomed brace, then had one that was made for me by Orthotics, I also have one for water use, I'm able to a hydro session once a week.

I quickly found my back didn't like cold - gels / compresses but heat is a real plus so after walking about the house / physio etc. I sit/ lie for 10-20 mnutes with the heat pad on.

When I first had the fractures breathing was difficult so I was given lots of breathing exercises, blowing a tissue to make it slightly move, humming, blowing out a candle etc. I needed to get better breath control before wearing the brace. During that period I had a simple neoprene band stlye belt just for a bit of support (Physio said to get one online).

Everyone's fractures do seem slightly different, some like me have a fair amount of pain which once under some level of control does make it easier.

Although my exercises come from a hospital physio, I was very interested to see how similar they are to the exercises on the ROS website. Many of mine seem to be the step before!

Think like many people have said do as much as you can, even if this is only for 2-3 minutes if done every hour / 4 times a day that builds quite quickly. Just don't give up hope !

Best Wishes

Posy White

[Lopera in reply to Posy-White]

Thank you Posy-White, this is very good and interesting information. I had heard of the spinomed brace but have googled smart crutch and orthotics brace. I also need to investigate a heat pad.

I’m very glad I found this community. There is such a wealth of experience and knowledge to be found. It’s a long road ahead but there is no alternative than to make the best of what I’ve got.

[Rems]

The spinomed brace does actually strengthen the back extensors unlike usual braces. It's not too comfy to wear but def helps. Exercise is a possibility once pain settled and have watched youtube videos on what you can do during the bad phase

[Lopera]

Thanks Rems, do you wear the spinomed brace all day?

[Olliemaya]

Hi lopera can I ask that if I have a compression fracture how would I know. I have been reading a lot about people having these and I am terrified about this happening. I have had a sore lower left hand side back for a week or so but comes and goes. I dnt need to do anything for it to be sore again. I have a -4 sore on my spine and need to lift items in my work at times. Thanks any information would be welcome

[Sunnygirl69 in reply to Olliemaya]

Have u had treatment for osteoporosis in the past?I had ongoing shoulder blade pain from beginning Oct, xray showed nothing wrong but I knew there was something not right as I never was troubled with back pain before. I got referred for MRI which sure enough showed compression fractures T6&T7.

Request some tests

[stave49 in reply to Sunnygirl69]

Shoulder blad pain I am familiar with. I found the muscle under the outer edge of the shoulder blad to be the cause in my case. It takes a determined masseuse to dig in deep enough for relief.

[Lopera]

Hi Olliemaya

I didn't know I had compression fractures until I had an MRI but I can describe the pain I experienced if that helps. Excruciating pain getting out of bed, i.e. rolling over on to my side. This led me to sleeping in a reclining chair so I could get up forwards. I took Naproxen, codeine and paracetamol but despite this, did not really get much relief from the pain. I would say the pain didn't really reduce for a good 6 weeks. In that acute phase, the pain didn't come and go. I would be very wary lifting. Take care.