fracture

[Cam11]

I’m 64 years old. I had a bad wrist fracture last April requiring surgery and about two weeks later broke right hand in car accident. My doctor told me I just had osteopenia and disregarded my concerns. My rheumatologist ordered a bone density scan a week ago and I have osteoporosis. I also have a compression fracture in spine. I’m looking for hope about being active and excising with spinal fracture. I’ve also enjoyed being active hiking, kayaking and playing tennis but now afraid to live life.

[Texanna]

Hello Cam11, I hope your wrist and hand have healed. That must have been quite a trial for you to go through having 2 injuries like that so close together! I hope you are able to safely regain being active without fear of another injury or damage to your bones. Have you considered going to a physical therapist? That could be helpful. One other idea, how about Nordic walking?

[Cam11 in reply to Texanna]

thank you. I will definitely try the walking. 😀

[Texanna in reply to Cam11]

I’m looking forward to trying Nordic walking myself. I’ve ordered the walking poles & now I’m just waiting for them to arrive. I’m hoping it will help increase my spinal bone density. 🤞

[Lynnel17 in reply to Texanna]

Texanna, Is Nordic walking known to increase bone density? Maybe I should try it. Thank you

[Texanna in reply to Lynnel17]

Nordic walking is good for the whole body and seems to help with bone density (see article below), plus when using the poles there’s less chance of falling. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Lynnel17 in reply to Texanna]

Thank you. Appreciate the link. Happy walking!

[jaqre]

Hi Cam11 - I am sorry to hear about your fracture and broken hand. Praying all has healed. It can be scary to venture out and be active with osteoporosis because you do have to be careful in all your activities. If you are fracturing quite a bit a good doctor should be able to talk to you about medications. Of course activity, lifestyle, and diet play key roles. Going to a good physical therapist can start the process of getting your body conditioned safely to to do some of the activities you enjoy. They can also give you tips on how to protect your spine and move in ways that keep you safe. Afterwards finding a trainer who works with people with osteoporosis would also be helpful to keep you strengthened so you can do those activities you love with more balance, core strength, etc. Just keep moving especially walking until you can progress to do more. I'll be praying all goes well. There are many of us out here going through this with you and cheering you on. God bless you!

[Cam11 in reply to jaqre]

I’ve always had a decent diet and excise regularly. I use my own professional Pilates reformer along with playing tennis, kayaking and hiking. My excising will have to change because my hips and other vertebrae are also at risk. Besides the fractured T-9, my T-11, L1-4 and S-1 are high risk. I feel like my bones are disintegrating. I’ve never smoked and rarely drink a glass of wine and have never done drugs. I’ve lived a healthy lifestyle so feeling really discouraged.

[jaqre in reply to Cam11]

Make sure your doctor looks for underlying causes for your osteoporosis. It may be nothing that you are doing wrong. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Sometimes it is genetic or your body may not be properly absorbing the nutrients you are taking in. Your doctor may recommend starting a course of treatment to help gain back some of your bone density, help prevent fractures and help bring your risk down some. There are some great posts on this site on what tests to have performed by your doctor so that you cant get to the root cause of it and properly address it. I definitely felt like you did when I got diagnosed. It does take some time to adjust and take it in. You do feel very "fragile". But there are safe ways to build muscle and stay active with the help of trained specialists. I did a LOT of research (which can be overwhelming so stick to reputable sights) and visited several doctors. In the end, I opted for the meds - a good diet and exercise didn't help mine enough. God's grace will get you through. Stay encouraged!

[Mark_ABH]

Hi Cam11, wishing you the best in your recovery. You should seek out an exercise/movement professional who is certified in instructing people with bone health problems. You certainly can (and should) remain physically active, given your osteoporosis. There are, however, certain activities, poses, etc. that you should avoid because they can cause fractures.

Has your rheumatologist recommended a course of treatment for your osteoporosis? I am concerned about your spine fracture. Having one means you have a 5-fold increased risk of having another within a year. Your risk increases exponentially with each fractured vertebra.

Good luck!

[Crawldad in reply to Mark_ABH]

Thank you. Not being diagnosed was beginning of my problems. I am on med now. Just started but thank you. Much to slow on my part I had to gather information and now realize with correct exercise, diet and medication. Hopefully, I can prevent another fracture. I did not fall. Pain was brutal for months. Anyway I think I will seek physical therapy finding how gyms don’t understand advanced osteoporosis. PT would I am sure be best.

[Cam11]

My rheumatologist’s office called a few days ago to give me the results of my bone density scan and scheduled an appt for 5 weeks away. After the news sank in over the weekend, I realized this is a huge life-changing diagnosis so I sent an email to try to get an earlier appt but I haven’t heard back from his office. I was going to go kayaking this week and, when I go, I always carry one side of my kayak to the water while my friend carries the other and then I help with his. I also babysit my 4 month old granddaughter 3 days a week so I’m lifting and carrying her all day. I’m afraid to do anything. I wasn’t given any precautions when I spoke with my dr’s assist so I have been trying to research on the Internet which I know we’re not supposed to do. Thank you for reaching out. This site has brought not only more concern, but also comfort in knowing I’m not alone.

[Crawldad in reply to Cam11]

best to you. All your concerns are legitimate. It took me awhile to find specialist. Months to get appt. But everything you stated is what I have been told. It is a awful condition. Only protection is avoiding fractures. It is life changing.

[Crawldad]

I had a compression fracture of spine. Apparently that increases risk of another fractures. I went for drugs risedronate 1X weekly pill. Lots of restrictions in my case to protect spine. I would definitely see a specialist in osteoporosis. To help your decision. I also was not told I had osteoporosis I was going for dexa scan every two years. Family history and on meds for breast cancer. Not happy I did switch doctors. One orthopedic doc told me the most undiagnosed and untreated condition. Yet it can be so disabling. I would do your research and I was sent to a endocrinologist re osteoporosis. Best to you. Let us know re decision.