Compression fractures

[Sunshine8888]

Hi two years I badly hurt my back lifting a large garden bin. As it was during the pandemic I had a telephone consultation and assessment. To cut a long story I have had pain in my lower back ever since and is getting worse. Recent x rays have shown that I have compression fracture in two of my lumber vertebrae. Due to the shortage of doctors in uk I’m not able to see a doctor until Dec 11th and then it is only a telephone consultation. I’m desperate to know what I can and can’t do, diet, supplements anything that will help me. I’d be really grateful to any suggestions thank you

[Met00]

That's ridiculous and totally unacceptable that you can't get an appointment until mid-December! I'm in the UK and that must be the worst case I've heard of! It might be worth contacting the Practice Manager, explain that you've just been told you have vertebral fractures and that you need to see a doctor to discuss this as a matter of urgency!

You could also contact the ROS nurses helpline, as they are specialised in osteoporosis: theros.org.uk

[Sunshine8888 in reply to Met00]

Thank you so much for replying 🙏I am going to try phoning my GP again this morning and 🤞someone will help , I will also contact the ROS helpline 🙏🙏🙏

[Met00 in reply to Sunshine8888]

Let us know how you get on.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I think first of all you need to see your GP and get good pain relief. I fractured my sacrum a couple of years ago and I found I had to keeping moving.

My GP was useless - said at my age ‘it was probably a touch of osteoarthritis!’ So I saw a very good local physiotherapist who specialised in spinal injuries who referred me for a private MRI scan

So I would try and keep moving but don’t do anything ridiculous. The physio said not to twist or lift heavy things and as the year wore on be very careful walking on muddy paths / fallen leaves / ice.

I walked on the flat though, I couldn’t cope with hills. I also used Nordic walking poles but I had them already because I’d done a course in Nordic walking. That helped a lot, it was like having an extra pair of legs and they were very good on uneven surfaces, they also took a lot of weight off my back and lower body. To begin with I had to stop frequently to rest so I used to go to a flat nature reserve where there were lots of benches.

My Pilates teacher is a physiotherapist and I kept doing Pilates - 3x a week but my group are all older, fragile ladies, our little class is tailored around us and our teacher is very careful with us. So if you can find a physiotherapist who is experienced in working with people with compression fractures it would be worth doing that but don’t ever do anything that causes pain even if a physio tells you and even if it’s something you have been ok doing before.

I eat a healthy Mediterranean type diet, lots of green leafy vegetables, lots of fish, chicken, eggs etc. Ive never really drunk milk and I don’t like yoghurt although I do eat a little cheese. I eat unsalted nuts and seeds and try to avoid sugar and fizzy drinks. Have a look through this site theros.org.uk they have leaflets about calcium and vitamin D3 rich foods.

I take vitamin D3 at the moment I’m taking 3000IU although that varies - I do regular fingerprick blood tests to check my levels though. Also take magnesium, boron, vitamin K2-Mk7, Omega 3 algae oil and I top up my dietary calcium with one capsule of calcium derived from Atlantic seaweed - the calcium I was prescribed totally upset my gut.

Are you going to be seeing a rheumatologist? Have you had a DEXA scan to see your T scores / fracture risk? Could you afford to see someone privately before December?

I’m sure other people will come along with more advice for you but I’d say get good pain relief, keep moving gently and read as much as you can about osteoporosis before December.

[Sunshine8888 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I can’t thank you enough! I’m actually in tears thinking someone replied in such detail. I feel very alone and that I have to make the right decisions for myself as there will s very little help at the present. Thank you again for caring enough to help 🙏

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Sunshine8888]

It is all very worrying and I can see why you feel you are on your own. Hopefully with the advice you have been given you will be able to get a bit more help.

Might be worth looking in this website too - melioguide.com the lady is a Canadian physiotherapist, she is very sensible, there are lots of videos and she covers a lot of different areas connected with osteoporosis. Good luck with your GP - you need good pain relief. Good luck for today 🌻

[GMOI]

All wonderful suggestions from above comments. Another “bandaid” I use to relieve myself when I have overstepped my tolerance are soaking in a bath with Epsom Salts for the 20 min to calm all muscles, meditate on gratefulness and massage dry to improve circulation. After applying a topical pain relief salve ( plant based) I use a heating pad on area of concern. Voila, I can sleep through the night, pillows used for correct posture positions. Find what works for you, Sunshine!

[Sunshine8888 in reply to GMOI]

Thank you so much for the suggestions, nights aren’t easy nor is trying to sit down of an evening, so I need to look at ways to help as well. 🙏🙏🙏

[ORdogmom in reply to GMOI]

If you have not tried it, there is something I like better than Epsom Salts. It it Dr Singha’s Mustard Bath. I get it on Amazon. For just general aches and pains, it is the best! Also, for something topical-Traumeel. Arnica on steroids is how my acupuncturist described it.

Unfortunately, with fractures, neither of these is going to fix you. They may make it a little bit more bearable.

[Sunshine8888 in reply to ORdogmom]

Thank you, I’m just so grateful for all suggestions to help 🙏

[Raleigh59]

I am sorry you are going through this. Zinc is supposed to heal broken bones faster.

I am on Tymlos daily injections which are both supposed to build bone and strengthen bones. And prevent fractures for the future but it can’t prevent injuries or accidents it only prevents fragility fractures from weak bones.

I take 5000 d3 per day but that’s to maintain my vit d . And I take 1-200 k2 per day.

My daughter worked for a neurosurgeon and he told people to take two Alleve in the morning and two Alleve at night during their painful times.

Every 12 hours.

[Sunshine8888 in reply to Raleigh59]

Thank you so much for sharing with me 😊

[josephinius1 in reply to Raleigh59]

Oh wow, interesting. I've taken one Aleve (I have issues similar to Sunshine8888,) and it helps, but honestly, the doctors I've seen so far have been mostly useless with regard to anything related to my pain/osteoporosis issues. My husband fractured two vertebrae--that's how I ended up getting a DEXA scan, wasn't on my doctor's radar as I am under 65 and they don't screen for osteoporosis ubder 65. HIS doctor told him two tylenol and two aspirin and a hot bath. I add epsom salts and it does help.

But especially if it's sacral, which is where my troubles started, it's definitely hard to get relief.

For what it's worth, I've also cleaned up my diet, was already taking Vit D and magnesium before diagnosis, now I'm taking K2 (MK7) with it and switched over to magnesium glycinate. I think the root of my problem is absorption, so I'm just trying to do anything that will help me absorb the nutrients I consume. I'm also taking boron, currently about 60 mg a day, and I took strontium for awhile, but it seems like the jury is more mixed on strontium (though my experience suggests it won't hurt you.) Jorge Flechas is the boron guy-he says you can take a lot more than the 3 mg that the FDA or whoever says is safe.

I was supposed to start getting Evenity injections but our insurance denied coverage, so I've restarted taking fosanax that was prescribed by default by PCP. I expect it probably is going to hurt more than help but I've continued to fracture despite all, so...I'm doing what I'm able to do.

My biggest problem, though, is ME. Every fracture that I'm aware of, every injury that caused me weeks of pain, was a result of my attempts to stay active. I'd been used to weight training, running and classes to keep me "functionally mobile" , and I basically can't do anything I used to do. Best I can work out, now, vertebral fractures don't cause pain in the bone itself when they happen: it'll be a twinge on either side, it will feel like a small ping, or in this most recent case, like my muscles are "flapping". (I tried running again, big mistake.) The flapping actually felt good, like a massage. And I'm used to pushing through pain. So, it's hard for me. But, now I'm taking it to heart: Any pain--stop now. It doesn't matter if everything else feels good, my spine is just that fragile, and the price I'll pay is not worth the few moments of pleasure in the moment.

I'm also using trekking poles now, though it's possible even they are too much right now as my current injury is above the waist. But you CAN get a good workout with them and they are a bit of a safety net, as long as you don't get it caught in between boards on a walkway or your partner doesn't step on it.

You're definitely not alone!

I'm in the US...arguably, worse than the UK for being seen, getting tests, etc. As I say, my doctors are very vague, dismissive, didn't even offer pain management advice (until my last visit to urgent care, where I hot a prescription for muscle relaxers, which don't help the pain but DO help me sleep.)

[DiscoLover in reply to josephinius1]

Hello, You say that you believe the majority of your recent fractures have been caused by your attempts to keep active and exercise. That is what I am afraid of since I have decided to start incorporating weight-bearing exercises into my weekly routine. I’m terrified I’m going to cause a fracture instead of the exercises helping me build new bone tissue. May I ask what your Bone Density score is? Mine from last year is -2.7 at the Femoral Neck and -3.5 at the spine.

[josephinius1 in reply to DiscoLover]

My spine score was -4.6, hip -3.3, -3.5.Yes, it's definitely disheartening to find that things that are supposed to help are the things that actually hurt. Though I will say I just learned yesterday that I have two upper back fractures (likely older) that I don't know how I got. I'm a hairdresser, though, this is probably a really wild thought, but my back hurts so bad after about 5 minutes of holding my arms out in front of me--now maybe I know why--that I wonder if just the repeated pressure of reaching in front of me did it? Either way, that wouldn't be exercise-related, so I'm going to have to amend my story. 😮

The physiatrist thinks I should try aqua therapy. Literally start with physical therapy in the water (as opposed to going to a water aerobics class or something?) He thinks that's least likely to provoke a new injury and though it won't give my spine the jolts it supposedly needs, will still strengthen my back muscles. After learning what to do, I could just go to a pool and do them on my own. I'm down for that and we even have a pool that's warmer than most near my house (we live in an area with lots of retirement communities,) so it would be reasonably convenient, aside from the whole getting wet part. But I have a feeling finding an "aqua therapist" isn't going to be that easy, and I've only ever done lap swimming, wouldn't know how to use equipment, etc. Would that be something you could consider?

[Sunshine8888]

thank you so much for sharing your experiences, the more I read it seems it’s very much left to us to try and find a way forward. I’m so grateful to you as I feel very overwhelmed at the moment, the pain never seems to go away so reading your story definitely helps 🙏

[Southerngirl2787]

Bless your heart! I'm stunned at the delay in healthcare for the fractures. I was slightly delayed from my first one, as I had fusion surgery, and we didn't realize it was a separate injury. They are so painful! The fusion surgery went better than the fracture, it didn't heal, sounds like yours isn't healing either. I had kypho, which has helped, but unfortunately, I had a cascade and now have had 10 fractures in the last year. They are hard to heal. I found a medical grade brace did a lot of good, full spine, mine are in thoracic and lumbar. Eating well, no processed foods, no seed oils, no sugars...sugar inhibits healing. I exercise, walk the neighborhood, a few strengthening exercises from the floor to protect the back. Sleep is vital, and hard to come by, I wake up numerous times a night to reposition myself. I hope and pray you get some help soon!

[DiscoLover in reply to Southerngirl2787]

Oh my, 10 fractures in the last year. Are they all in your spine? How do fractures heal? Is there something you do to help the healing?

[Southerngirl2787 in reply to DiscoLover]

Wish I knew how to heal them!! The first one is exactly a year old now, had kypho, and last MRI, 2 months ago showed it was still unhealed with edema. All in the spine, T6-12; L1-3. Another MRI tomorrow, not many left to fracture, so hoping I get an improved report. I'm taking Tymlos, all the common OP supplements/vitamins, weight bearing exercise as they allow me, lots of walking, working in the garden as I can, zero heavy lifting right now. I eat high protein, as you must have high quality protein to build back after surgeries, which I'm through 12 now, with maybe 2 more this year. I also consume about 30g collagen per day and take HRT.

[Southerngirl2787]

I forgot to add....I use hiking poles to walk, these are a necessity and actually help build upper back and arm strength too. Some days I have trouble holding up torso, but those poles get me out and about. I believe strongly that we must keep moving, walking, doing what we can in the garden, nothing heavy, no carrying small children, etc. My diet is whole foods, nothing processed, no sugars, grains, seed oils or starches. I have autoimmune conditions, so keeping the inflammation down is vital. Again, sugars, treats will cause your immune system to be reduced for up to 24 hours, you need it working to heal you. We drink water, herbal teas, one cup of coffee, consume only whole fat dairy, keep it to hard dairy, I have cow's milk allergy, so that fixes that! Mostly all meats, fish, seafoods, some veg/some fruit, more fruit than veggies, some seeds/nuts, lots of chicken eggs. One of the most important things in my opinion is hormone replacement therapy. My NP lowered my dose in error, and we are sure that simple awful error started the ball rolling for bone loss. Lower weight women don't have enough fat to produce adequate estrogen, so I've been taking replacements for 10 years and doing great. Changed NP, old one died, and thus the error. Keeping weight in the high 120s, doing strength exercises is vital.

[RubymyT]

health care is pretty bad in Canada too. My spine is a mess ,and yes full of compression fractures. Might try a back brace , they aren't too too much money , it might help with support. I wouldn't be able to exist without heating pad and hot baths. Here I have had a pain specialist since before the pandemic , so I get injections for compression fractures and severe stenosis. I'm just saying what has helped for me in the past. Also it might not hurt to ask your pharmacist what would give relief in over the counter medication.

Socialized health car isn't all its cracked up to be.

Seeing a specialist here as a new patient can be anywhere from 3 to 9 months

Good Luck

[Sunshine8888 in reply to RubymyT]

Thank you for replying every bit of advice really helps, just need to get head round it so really grateful to you 🙏