We’re starting to plan an upcoming #BoneMatters session, focusing on the physical changes and challenges that can come with multiple spinal fractures—beyond pain.
We’re thinking about topics like body image, confidence, and tips for feeling comfortable, and clothing choices, but we’d love to hear from you!
👉 What challenges have you faced?
👉 What would you find most helpful in a session like this?
We know that there's been discussions on these kind of topics here on our forum before, so we’d really love to hear your ideas in the comments—we truly value your support and insights.
Hoping the weekend is kind to you all.
Take care,
Lulu
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Pain relief - not always medication as I have challenges {blooming sensitive digestion} with my digestion system
Physiotherapy - A Physio has told me that now they don't do 'hands on' on people with Osteoporosis, so I have been signed off from physio, I have been since being diagnosed doing the ones on ROS site, so what type of Physio is helpful? I had a great one that did ultrasound & massage for shoulders as like many I don't have good posture anymore but this would release knots etc especially when supporting me intinto the correct correct position.... This helped me immensely.
Loss of height. 6 inches. Cannot reach top shelves have to have a step. Feel much smaller. Exacerbation of breathing problems if you have COPD as well.
The moderator changed this. Others used the same word as I did. As I was talking about myself I see nothing wrong with the word I used. I did not address this to anyone else and I did not offend myself! “Feeling much smaller” doesn’t quit hit the mark. The fact is I feel very short and it is a pain.
My name is Fiona.I live in Australia. I have had 4 spinal fractures.I found your sessions so helpful as we don't have any support here.I would be grateful for any information on posture or anything information regarding these fractures. Regard Fiona.
I would like more attention given to getting people mobile again particularly after spinal fractures. Initially I could barely hold my body up unaided. It would be enormously helpful to know what is normal and how to improve your situation.
I've lost 4 inches of body length due to vertebral fractures and feel like a short person on a tall person's legs, with a pushed out tummy.
I've found that empire line dresses and loose shift dresses "cut on the cross or bias" are the only dresses I can wear. These dresses are very difficult to find. They stretch where you body needs them to, so there's no problem how long or short bodied we are or where our hips are in relation to where our waist is (or was). Perhaps there's a way of setting up demand for these dresses for people like us, although I had some before my fractures because I was short bodied before my fractures.
Clothes wise the way to go is separates. Pre Covid there was a trend of generously flared A line cut tops. This style was very flattering in the way they draped from the bust, gave an illusion of a shaped waist and covered the tummy area. The trend seems to have ended as I can't find the simple cut style like the ones I have.
Generally I find that the styles of clothes I'd feel most comfortable in now are available in larger sizes only.
The most helpful advice I would like is a demonstration of exercises to strengthen the muscles either side of the spine. Maybe using light weights or resistance bands etc. I find the machines at the gym do not fit me any more, plus having degenerated discs, I feel unsafe to lift weights from a sitting position.
I wish dvd's were still available as my computer skills get worse as I age. If I find something on you tube, I have difficulty finding it a second time.
Thank you to this site for all of the help I have had previously. It has been invaluable. Deanna xx
I feel exactly the same as you! I was diagnosed with osteoporosis when I was 80, eight years ago and my shape has changed, short torso and belly which I never had before. I’ve lost height and weight 8stone and 5’3 and feel like a midget!
I don’t take any medication just vitamin D3 + K2. I haven’t had any consultations with myGP since refusing to take the meds, they are not interested and just want to dish out drugs and vaccines. I tried physio and chiropractic treatment but not very successful and a waste of money.
It would be good to get together for a good moan and a laugh!
Hi Anna. Can't believe your site name. I often call myself Dido and one of my friends always calls me Daisy. I also am medication free and my birthday is also in April.
Where in the UK are you? I already spend too much time on my backside with my laptop. Would you like to exchange phone numbers? Or are you on Facebook Messenger?
More advise on exercises for people who were very active before spinal fractures. I was an active 73yr old- ran marathons, swim x3 wk, long distance walking, yoga, dance. Developed 4 thorasic compression fractures when training for a marathon. Exercises on line and from physio are very basic when you have previously been so fit.
Thank you ROS for being there for us because no-one else is, certainly not the NHS! Mine is a psychological issue. Since incurring multiple fractures my life has changed completely just as other members have reported. I seem to live in fear of further fractures or causing injury when I exercise. Each time I feel a new pain I am on red alert worrying if I have caused further damage. Do other people feel like that? If so, how do we manage that so that our lives can have some sort of normality.
I could write an essay or 2, especially about clothes. The current fashion for fitted clothes does not help those of us with a dowagers hump. I wear stuff years old which is much better. Recommend Nordic Walking to get going again after vertebral fractures have healed, to strengthen back and give confidence. Recommend Move It Or Lose It exercise to help movement also when vertebral fractures have settled
I have faced many challenges which initially I didin't associate with having osteoporosis and fractures. For example,
Loss of confidence: Always living with the fear of further fractures. Questioning myself whether I will ever be able to be mobile again. Loss of confidence in going outside by myself and lots more. Having to give up work which has further isolated me.
Going through the process of loss: My whole world changed in a blink or an eye. For example, Loss of my independence, Loss of my job, No longer able to look after grandchildren alone or see them performing in events etc., Likely I will need to move home as current not suitable. Not able to drive my car
Physical changes to my body: I didn't associate these initially with fracturing. For example, as I have got shorter there have been changes to the shape of my rip cage and I now have protruding belly. These caused me to have restricted breathing and digestive issues. Restrictions to breathing can be frightening when you don't realise what is causing it. Clothes no longer fitting or being too uncomfortable to wear anymore. Not being as mobile and having to rely on aid such as bath chair, walking stick etc., Much slower walking now. Not being able to do certain household tasks anymore i.e. changing bedding. Cleaning that requires stretching or crouching i.e. window cleaning. Not being able to stand or walk very far or very long due to pain makes it difficult to shop, prepare food.
Coping with frustration. I have found there is not enough knowledge on the impact of osteoporosis from General Practitioners. Frustration that treatment is a post code lottery and that I live in in an area which doesn't support Fracture Prevention Service and long delay 72 weeks before got appropriate treatment and the further damage to my body this delay caused. This along with the general frustration that my body had failed me.
I have found the ROS website and Health Unlocked Forum has helped me in so many ways, Giving me answers to the physical changes to my body, tips on clothing i.e. wearing looser clothing which disguises certain parts of the body I feel uncomfortable with and elasticated waist on clothing really helps. Accepting help. For example, I have a cleaner once a week who also changes my bedding, I have a bath chair so I regained independence there. Using distraction has really helped me cope with pain. I have an audio book and this goes everywhere in the house with me. If I am in the bathroom, showering, cleaning teeth, washing, putting on makeup, getting dressed I am listening to a book. If I am preparing food, doing the dishes, putting washing in machine etc., I am also listening to a book. I also listen to a book through the night and have bedside light on. This might not work for everyone but it has for me.
I also bought a telescopic bathroom cleaner with interchangeable velcro attachments. Light and not expensive but has given me back some independence and allows me to clean the bath between the cleaner coming once a week.
I tend to do household tasks in short bursts and rest between. For example, I might peel some potatoes for later in the day and then go and sit or lie down before doing something else. Really it is about learning how to pace your day and listening to your body.
So sorry for such a long post. Not sure if this is what you are looking for but thought I better stop now before I send everyone to sleep 😄
I absolutely agree with all the points you make here. This forum should be required reading for GPs, maybe then they would understand more about what we are all going through. I am also dependent on audio books especially at night. I used to do a lot of home sewing but now cannot really tolerate using a sewing machine for any length of time which for me has been a big loss . I no longer dare to do anything in the garden. I have taken up knitting which has been something of a lifesaver. I am lucky that I have a supportive partner who has had to take over most of the house and garden jobs but we are both in our 70's and I worry that in the future I won't be able to give him the support he may need.
I have lost a lot of height and am still shrinking ,I don't measure myself anymore but when family go to give me a hug they have to bend down further than before ,so I guess I must be fracturing my spine but there is no pain. Haven't had a Dexa in years because it will only tell me what I already know . What I would like is practical advise on how to halt osteoporosis with out drugs, I know that might be asking too much, haven't found any answers that are proven to help osteoporosis
Hi. Have a look and maybe join a group on Facebook called "Naturally Better Bones Osteoporosis Group" led by Douglas Johnson. This guy is in the process of writing a book and is very generous with his knowledge, experience and expertise. There are files and an enormous amount of helpful, detailed information about osteoporosis and what we can do to help ourselves. There is so much that I have not read it all myself yet.
The site is interactive although it is not necessary to get into conversations with others like ourselves. We can pick and choose what changes we may wish to make, as to act on all of it is a tall order. One thing I am doing is something called "Seed Cycling." I looked up the nutritional value of the seeds involved and thought it can do no harm. Have to say that I feel better in more ways than the process claims to help.
I am very frustrated as to know how to exercise safely
I used to do gym work, yoga, tai chi, but gradually one by one, I have given them up because of the discomfort I was getting, but also as I wasn’t being taught by anybody who knows about how to exercise safely with osteoporosis, I worry about what damage may be caused, and we are advised that above all else, weight bearing exercise, resistance training etc should be part of your life to help prevent things like fractures and build your bone strength and density Of course a good healthy diet plays a huge part in keeping our bones strong as well as our overall health
This is going off at a tangent, but I was listening to an explorer (Dan Buttener) on a podcast the other day, who has studied areas in Japan, Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, and America, called the Blue Zones, who have the highest number of centenarians in the world. These people don’t seem to suffer as much as we do with the diseases that we are all familiar with, but who seemingly live their lives with a healthy diet (fresh produce, not ultra processed), and their exercise regime is not one of going to gyms, running miles and miles, but doing everyday things like tending the gardens, household chores, being socially connected with family, friends and neighbours, just going about their lives in a more natural way. Unfortunately, some of these Blue Zone areas have now got a lot of the food that we eat in their shops now and the health conditions like diabetes and heart disease are on the rise because of this. There has to be something in the way these areas live in terms of their fresh wholesome diet, their social connections, having a purpose and enjoyment of life, the fact they keep themselves mobile with the daily tasks they do, not pumping iron, running marathons etc, just natural movement throughout the day that involves different muscles and joints to be used, and much less sedentary time, that helps them reach this grand age with relatively fewer health conditions than we experience. I am going to try and adopt just doing small chunks of exercises during the day and try not to worry that I am unable to do the exercises that I know are recommended to us, stress and worry is a big contributor of low bone density.
I am so interested in this topic - clothing seems such a trivial thing to worry about but it is so important! Feeling the best one can lifts the mood and confidence.I had a little success by changing to 'petite' as the height loss is in the torso. This worked quite well with that particular style but it's very hit and miss.
Really looking forward to lots of thoughts and ideas.
Hi, I am lucky that I can do exercises to help pain and hopefully strengthen my bones.
I use to 5 ft 10 and was known as the tall skinny girl who worked down the pub. I am now 5ft 3, weigh 8st 4. I have a huge stomach and really do not like my body.
Like many others, I find it so hard to get clothes to fit and continue to wear my old clothes. Clothes shopping is not much fun. I am also very conscious when I meet friends for a meal, I seem so small at the table.
I have always been a half glass full person, and try to remain positive. I tend not to undressed in front of the mirror!
My doctors have not been the best, but I have read worse cases, I guess the unknown future is a long term concern.
Thank you for raising these issues, I think it will be a very interesting session.
Now 5 inches smaller and 8 ( very painful) fractures in, a few things concern me.
I'm 71 with very, very severe osteoporosis but want to stay as active and fit as I can be. However, I'm confused as to what exercises are safe. So frightened of causing further fractures. I walk at least an hour every day with walking poles for support. They have been a life saver.
Clothing a big problem now. I'm quite slim but now have a protruding tummy and no waist. It's hard to find anything that looks right.
Isolation and loss of social contact. This can be a very lonely condition. Thank goodness for ROS and Health Unlocked. Saved my life. Thank you for all that you do to help us.
Thank you so much for raising this topic. I can only echo all the above posters having severe osteoporosis, 15 fractures , severe RA for 53 years and 25+ surgeries plus other autoimmune conditions! Lots 9inches in height 50 per cent spine height. Restriction of internal organs lungs, stomach issues etc.So yes, clothes are important as we all have to wear them! Pyjamas are the most comfortable but.... I've had 3 c spine fusions and have no neck now and can't look ahead when walking. Have had two falls with broken hips recently and balance bad.
Separates are best, I don't buy expensive clothes but I'm always looking for something nice. I buy online and have unwittingly made bad choices. Have gone from 7.5 to 6.5 st due to digestive issues. Have been on various osteoporosis drugs for over 20 years and advised to go on Evenity soon. Some concern as have had dental complications previously.
I try to walk indoors once every hour and do a bit of walking fitness videos on you tube in a safe place, music helps and as above I love audiobooks.
Quality of life is so important, looking out at nature, making connections with friends and family who care and for me, some voluntary work from home.
It is so good to not feel so alone with this condition which affects the quality, if not the length, of life so much.
Sorry for the length of this but thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to hearing more.
Hi I had a challenge just last week. I went to the dentist but because of my hump due to spinal fractures I can’t lie on the dentists chair so I get my coat and put it behind my neck which seems to work. Without it it’s very uncomfortable and painful.
My hump on my back is quite pronounced and I find a hoody covers it quite well. My Son took me to the seaside and he wanted to bring my scooter but I said I really wanted to try and walk. I don’t think I’d be trying that again. If people need a scooter I recommend they only walk a little way and not try to do too much. The trouble is while I’m sat in my chair or in bed I think I can do anything like I used to but my back says you just try it.
Yes, you've hit the nail on the head, your brain tells you to do this, this and this but your body says no way!! I always used to go over a list of things I needed to do in the day. I still make the list in my head, if I get one of the things done it's been a successful day!!
I did find the Osteoporosis psychologist really helpful, it was phone sessions, an hour long, and if anyone's ever offered them please take up the offer. They're worth every minute, they understand the illness and frustrations and how it affects you and your nearest and dearest. To be able to talk freely without worry that it may upset those close to you if they really know how you feel is just a massive help xx
I don’t think my family know just how bad it is. The pain when you do something that starts it off. I’ve got a cleaner who came today but she doesn’t do it like I do. I re cleaned the bathroom as it just wasn’t up to my standard. Don’t get me wrong I used to give it a good clean once a week then just use Dettol wipes on the sink and toilet for the rest of the week. I’ve got an ironing lady that comes once a fortnight well if I want something in between I can’t have it. She usually just takes the bedding. I did iron a few things this week but that’s murder on my back.
Yes, I have to bite my tongue sometimes when I see that stuff hasn't been cleaned like I'd do it, generally it's ok and I don't like to pick faults, my cleaner is lovely and will do anything I ask her to which is such a help.
I just think I am very fussy and yes I do bite my tongue. If I made her cleanbto my standard she wouldn’t last very long. I do redo things sometimes the trouble is I can’t redo it all.if I do one thing every so often then it gets done. I can’t clean it all in one go like I used too. I hate being like this.
I just wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for all your thoughtful comments on this thread. Your insights are so valuable, and we really appreciate you taking the time to share what would be meaningful and helpful for you. 🫂
Your feedback also gives us plenty to think about in terms of creating comfortable spaces in our community feels to talk and share more about these topics. 💬
I also wanted to quickly drop in some links to some of our resources, just in case anyone here hasn’t had a chance to check them out yet:
Please just be mindful that some contact details for clothing brands may have changed since the last update, so it’s always good to double-check with the manufacturer if needed.
📽️Our existing Bone Matters videos on a wide range of topics including pain relief and avoiding falls - theros.org.uk/information-a...
Thank you again for sharing your experiences and ideas—it’s so important that our resources reflect what truly matters to you, and your voices help shape that. 🤝
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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