Has anyone with compression fractures carried on playing golf?

[Golfers1]

Hi, this is my first post on here so bear with me if I get anything wrong please.

I have been completely devastated to find out I have 2 compression fractures in my thoracic spine. T4 and T12. I did know that I had osteoporosis with a T score of -3 but did think that I could just carry on as long as I was careful with diet and exercise. I have always been very active playing crown green bowls, golf and lots of walking and weekly palates. However I am on steroids for GCA/ PMR so that hasn’t helped. I now have romosozumab (Evenity) injections each month.

My question is : has anyone carried on playing golf and not caused any more damage?

I have asked the question of consultants, physiotherapist and others; all with different opinions. The golf swing does twist the spine which I fear cannot be a good thing.

It is such a difficult decision to play wondering if I could cause another fracture or just to accept that my golfing days are over 🥲

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Kaarina]

Welcome to the help forum.

You could call the Royal Osteoporosis helpline which is open Monday to Friday between 9am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.00pm.

Get in touch by calling 0808 800 0035 or emailing [e-mail]

This is a very tricky decision for you to make. Twisting of the spine is not good if dx with OP. I do not think any of us are in a position to answer your question one way or another. You may get away with it or make matters worse. It is a gamble and heart breaking for you if you decide to stop golf as you love it so much. I think you may be able to tweak how you play golf with OP so it is well worth doing some research regarding this. kleema.com/safety-golfing-t...

[Fruitandnutcase]

To be honest - I wouldn’t do it. So much twisting and force on the spine and arms.

On the other hand I had a very elderly aunt who had severe osteoporosis and who had played golf all of her life and who, when her doctor prescribed steroids went out and played half a round of golf! She had an electric golf trolley but even then. My poor equally elderly mother who was doing all her housework, fetching and carrying was furious with her! It may have been good for auntie’s mental health getting out to do that but it certainly didn’t do her body any good at all.

I absolutely love cycling but I have come to the conclusion it probably isn’t the best hobby to keep up, I also love horse riding and have realised days of riding horses are over due to the fact that even the most placid of horses can be unpredictable. So for me, much as I love both cycling and horse riding they are a thing of the past and I have come to accept that I will never take up riding side saddle - something I’ve wanted to do for years but never got organised enough to do. Actually the same aunt who player golf had also kept and ridden horses all of her life too.

It’s a decision that only you can make though, you’ve got to do what feels right for you

[CinnamonRose]

Aren't you in pain? Only you can decide if it's worth the risk but having broken 3 vertebrae just by turning round(twisting) to grab my bag off the back seat of the car, personally, I'd hang em up!!

Maybe you could just be content walking the course with friends instead, it's not an easy decision for you to make. Is there something else you could do to make up the gap that it would leave?

[Golfers1]

Thank you for your replies. I have decided to suspend my membership for now and decide in a few months.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Golfers1]

Good thinking - it will give you time to ask around and decide what you want to do next. Good luck.

[Sunseaandsand]

Giving up the things we have always loved doing is incredibly hard, but looking and trying out different things although challenging can also be tremendously rewarding.

You have already had two fractures which puts you at a higher risk of having more plus you are taking steroids.

You sound to be a very active person and have recovered from your fractures so perhaps there are other safer things to do which would be new to you and therefore could be really enjoyed.

If you don’t know how you got the fractures it may be worth thinking about the possibility that either the golf or the bowls were responsible.

If I was in your situation I personally wouldn’t be continuing, it just isn’t worth the risk, these fractures for some people can and do increase in number and render them permanently disabled. x