Osteoporosis fractures/broken bones after flying.

[suthmada]

Last September I had a short flight back to UK, landed fine no issues, and short journey home. Then I awoke in the morning in agony, after getting to A&E and after scans told I had 4 broken ribs, a broken sternum and 4 broken vertebrae. Had surgery to fuse together spine with 2 rods and 5 pins. Have just started my 2 year daily injections of Movymia.

Now after this happened I asked my Bone Density doctor could the flight, air compression have triggered the broken bones, and I was told no.

Does anyone had experience of this happening to them? Were you told anything different? How soon could you fly again, were there any issues flying?

Not planning on flying anywhere until I've been on the injections for 6mths.

Thanks all

[Haz58]

All I can say is I stopped flying last year. After a flight im in agony. I have rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and my back is rubbish. I cruise now instead, far less holidays but far less pain on holiday too. The pressure affects your bones apparently.

[Jillsta_fab in reply to Haz58]

I haven’t heard of that.. you saying that flying reduces bone density. Arrived home last night after a 4,5 hour flight, managed everything OK, including the cases coming in on the carousel! And shuffling through passport control. What were your results from your DXA? Osteoporosis itself doesn’t cause pain.

[Haz58 in reply to Jillsta_fab]

No not reducing bone density. It can inflame everything around your joints is what I meant.

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi, have you had any fractures previous to this and do you know what your T score is ?? ( I presume you have had a Dexa Scan done)

Have you been told your Osteoporosis is very severe?

Are you able to think of anything you did in the days before flying that may have resulted in the fractures??

For example did you lift or carry heavy cases or pull them off the Carousel??

Whilst out of the U K did you take part in any activities (Sports etc)

The reason I ask the questions is because I have had warnings with some of my fractures varying from more back pain in days or weeks before a fracture, actually having excruciating pain and feeling the fracture compressing at the time of it taking place.

I have never had a fall or an accident and over the last 18 months I have had a good number of the bones fracturing a second third and fourth time.

I have had 15 fractures in the spine and at least 2 in the ribs and some of these I have like you just woken with.

There is much more I can add and I am interested to hear your reply as we have family who live abroad and have flown frequently in the past and taken many long and short flights. X

[suthmada in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Hi never had any fractures previously, never been ill, no back issues, no signs that something was wrong.

Scans showed a wedge compression T9, fractures T7, T8 & T9 and the 4 broken ribs and broken sternum.

Yes, had the Dexa scan and showed the below and was diagnosed with osteoporosis in spine and osteopenia in my hips.

L1 -2.5

L2 - 3.1

L3 - 2.9

L4 - 3.7

Didn't lift or do anything while awhile, just a quick trip and just carried shoulder bag, nothing heavy and no activities. I had a little trip/fall approx 6 weeks prior crossing the road, fell forward and kind of rolled onto my knees. but no pain.

I have just started the Movymia daily injections, (2 years).

Previously I have travelled and lived overseas for nearly 30 years and have been back in the UK since 2019 caring for parents. Was hoping I would be able to fly after using the Movymia for 6 mths, August/September time?

[Sunseaandsand in reply to suthmada]

Hi and thanks for your reply, I want to ask if I can send message on chat to you ( sometime over next few days) as some of my fractures have occurred very close to time of travelling which has raised a few questions as to if there may be a connection between flying and fractures.

You do say that you had a fall prior to your travelling and I would think it is possible perhaps that was the cause of your fractures, as it may have caused damage which has then compressed further.

If it is okay with you I would be happy to share my experience of Osteoporosis with you as it may be of help in your preventing further fractures. 🧚‍♀️x

[suthmada in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Yes please, chat would be great. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. XX

[Southerngirl2787]

My first fracture happened on a plane trip, we had been cruising waiting to land over Houston, and after an hour of that...came down too fast, and a hard landing, blew my right ear drum, and T7. Shortly following that were T6 down to L1. I also had numerous rib fractures show on the MRI. No falls, trips, things dropping on me. Just happened. The pain was horrible for both fracture and ear! Neurosurgeon was stunned. 10 fractures total, several have had multiple re-fracturing. I guess it may be a "thing" and I'm about to take a flight again, and not really thrilled about it.

[suthmada in reply to Southerngirl2787]

I can understand the pain level. Wishing you all the best. Let me know how it goes, good luck.

[Jillsta_fab in reply to Southerngirl2787]

You poor thing, we have RyanAir, which means bumpy landings.! Jet2 last night, far better

[CinnamonRose in reply to Southerngirl2787]

From what I can make out there's several of us that have had seemingly spontaneous fractures from flying, I wonder if there's any research. Has anyone else had that happen?