A year and a half ago I broke my left wrist when I fell while playing tennis. This was a severe break and required surgery. Two weeks later I was in a car accident and broke my right hand. I was being treated at Mayo for both injuries and I asked my orthopedic surgeon if I had osteoporosis. She said no that the X-rays and MRI indicated I just had osteopenia which is normal for my age. Fast forward a year later to my appt with my rheumatologist. He suggested I get my first bone density scan and some X-rays take. Results showed I have a fractured T-9 and I have some scary numbers on some of my other vertebra. I also have 4 lumbar vertebra “slipping “ in front of each other. I had no idea this was going on in my spine. I was uncomfortable with back pain but blamed it on my arthritis and “getting old”.
My rheumatologist wanted me to start Prolia but I decided I needed to find the cause since I’m the only one in my family with this issue. I had blood work done and my calcium level is normal but my vitamin D is very low which means I have malabsorption. Does anyone else have malabsorption and fractures? I’m just trying to figure out where to go from here. I need to exercise but I’m afraid to because of my fractures. I don’t know how to strengthen my core without causing more damage. Who will work with me with the T-9 fracture? I’ve been doing Pilates for 9 years but afraid to do anything except leg and footwork. Thanks for all of your support.
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Cam11
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First step for me (L1) was working with a physical therapist well versed in osteoporosis for about 8-10 sessions starting about 6 weeks after I fractured. you will learn what back and core exercises are safe to do !
Next step, for me anyway, is Margaret Martin’s (Melio Guide) exercise program. I would do a consultation with her first. She has decades and decades of experience with osteoporosis. Medication -wise I am going on Tymlos. Don’t despair, this is all doable and you will be fine!!
Thank you. I will ask for a referral for PT. I didn’t realize when first diagnosed how life changing my diagnosis is. Many of my activities/hobbies were physical and now I can no longer participate with my friends. It’s not easy changing over night and I’m just trying to find my way. Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂
I am only about 10 weeks out from a painful fracture and I really feel grateful for being more or less pain free at this point (a great PT experience), Margaret's superb guidance, and health insurance that allows me to go on Tymlos!
I just want to add that I was urged by my rheumatologist and my physical therapist to use a low-intensity vibration platform daily (I have a Marodyne LiV platform). I think good evidence is accumulating for nonpharma intervention. See abstract below.
Totally understand about not being able to participant in activities/hobbies. I found a new one, nordic walking, which I love.
Review
Published: 25 October 2022
Effectiveness of whole-body vibration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Regina Dantas Jales de Oliveira, Raphael Gonçalves de Oliveira, Laís Campos de Oliveira, Sebastião David Santos-Filho, Danúbia Cunha Sá-Caputo & Mario Bernardo-Filho
Osteoporosis International volume 34, pages29–52 (2023)Cite this article
Abstract
The present study observed significant effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, with high-quality evidence for high-frequency, low-magnitude, and high-cumulative-dose use. The aim was to update a previous systematic review with meta-analysis to observe the effects of WBV on BMD in postmenopausal women. For the meta-analysis, the weighted mean difference between WBV and control groups, or WBV and conventional exercise, was used for the area of bone mineral density (aBMD) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, trochanter, intertrochanter, and Ward’s area, or volumetric trabecular bone mineral density (vBMDt) of the radius and tibia. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale and the quality of evidence using the GRADE system. In total, 23 studies were included in the systematic review and 20 in the meta-analysis. Thirteen studies showed high methodological quality. WBV compared with control groups showed significant effects on aBMD in the primary analysis (lumbar spine and trochanter), sensitivity (lumbar spine), side-alternating vibration (lumbar spine and trochanter), synchronous vibration (lumbar spine), low frequency and high magnitude (lumbar spine and trochanter), high frequency and low magnitude (lumbar spine), high frequency and high magnitude (lumbar spine, trochanter, and Ward’s area), high cumulative dose and low magnitude (lumbar spine), low cumulative dose and high magnitude (lumbar spine and trochanter), and positioning with semi-flexed knees (trochanter). Of these results, only high frequency associated with low magnitude and high cumulative dose with low magnitude showed high-quality evidence. At this time, considering the high quality of evidence, it is possible to recommend WBV using high frequency (≈ 30 Hz), low magnitude (≈ 0.3 g), and high cumulative dose (≈ 7000 min) to improve lumbar spine aBMD in postmenopausal women. Other parameters, although promising, need to be better investigated, considering, when applicable, the safety of the participants, especially in vibrations with higher magnitudes (≥ 1 g).
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