Pelvis insufficiency fractures.

[Quercus16]

Is there anyone out there suffering from them. I have three one stable (left sacrum) and two active (left sacrum and pubis bone) plus a haematoma. All as a direct result from radio therapy. Which I had as i was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer, hysterectomy then several weeks later almost 5 weeks of RT, and I’m left with fractures. 7 weeks lying flat in bed and there. Was no change. I feel quite alone with these fractures as I know no one else with them. My oncologist is trying across the country to get treatment for them but so far without fail. I would welcome a chat with anyone in this same situation. Thanks

[TC200]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your problems with your pelvic fractures. I have been in the same position after five and a half weeks of radiotherapy every day. I was OK for about six months and then found I was in so much pain I could hardly walk. GP sent me to A and E where an X-ray showed several pelvic fractures. She put me on morphine and paracetamol and gave me a walking frame which I hated but helped much more than the stick I had been using. She told me it would take between 10 and 12 weeks to recover but in reality it took nearly a year before I felt anything like normal. I did pay for a couple of sessions of physio which I could do lying in bed before I struggled up in the mornings. These did help but I am afraid it just takes time and patience. I just wished I would get up one morning and start to feel an improvement and I got very fed up with myself. I realise this is not very encouraging but I am sure you will get there. I hope it helps to know you are not alone and this has happened to other people and you do come out the other side eventually.

[Quercus16 in reply to TC200]

Thank you so much for your reply, yes it is encouraging, again thank you. That is exactly how I feel!!! My doctor and oncologist are now saying 1-2 years as a conservative estimate. I just don’t understand why there is no sign of healing after7 months and 7 weeks in bed. It feels very lonely cos I didn’t know anyone with this problem. I hate walking with a stick but think I’ll get a jazzy one so it doesn’t look so institutional 😁. Yes if has helped thank you and for replying. Are you completely healed now? I really hope so 🙏🏻. X

[Mariecapp]

Sorry that you are going thru this. Pelvic radiation does terrible things to our bodies. I developed pelvic fractures on both sides of the back of my pelvis and a fracture of my femur head. The femur head fracture was very painful and I used a cane to help me with walking. The Dr did nothing else to treat them and he advised my to rest . I found out that I had them because I am a runner and the pain was unbearable, that's when an MRI confirmed my stress fractures. I believe that it takes about 6-8 weeks to heal. Best to you.

[Quercus16 in reply to Mariecapp]

All the best to you too. I’ve already had it for 7 months with 7 weeks of that on bed rest, oncologists orders!!

Wishing you a speedier recovery. X

[D_Cymro]

I’ve been diagnosed with a number of fractures since I completed my treatments for an early metastatic prostate cancer in 2020. I have a wedge (compression) fracture in one of lumbar vertebrae and (hopefully) two insufficiency fractures in my sacrum, one on each side. I say hopefully because my oncologist still isn’t sure one of the features they can see in my sacrum isn’t a tumour. I was found to have widespread lymph node involvement after my surgery but thankfully nothing on my bones - at that time. I was told my fractures could have been caused by a combination of hormone deprivation (2 years), the steroids I had with my chemo, and my pelvic radiotherapy. Have no symptoms, thankfully, but have been strongly advised to start alendronic acid treatment asap even though I’ve been recovering bone density after my treatment, which they think is due to the recovery of my testosterone, calcium and Vit D supplements and resistance training. Been told not to run and ‘be sensible’ in the meantime, and hopefully the shadow on my right side will be a fracture not a tumour, and that it can be ‘healed’ slowly with treatment.

I really hope the medics can find something to help you.

[Quercus16 in reply to D_Cymro]

Thank you and I pray it’s not a tumour for you. I have a haematoma on my pubis fracture which the oncologist keeps saying he’s 90%sure is a haematoma and nothing more sinister, a tad unsettling! Please take care and 🙏🏻 for positive outcome. X

[D_Cymro in reply to Quercus16]

You too. Have your doctors mentioned any meds to strengthen your bones or help heal the fractures?

[Quercus16 in reply to D_Cymro]

Yes, Weekly dose of alendronic tabs once a week. I add to that by taking vit D daily, so 🤞they help. I am going to ask for another MRI to see if there is any change. Thank you

[D_Cymro]

I’ve just re-read something that caught my eye. When you say ‘stable’ and ‘active’ fractures, what does that mean? One is not getting worse (bigger?) and the other is? Do they still give you pain when they are stable? I guess not. 😒

[Quercus16 in reply to D_Cymro]

Thanks fir your reply, yes stable it has settled and not getting any worse and no pain. Active meaning they are very painful and not healing. Thanks

[D_Cymro]

Thanks. 🙏

[Shaunjon]

I do not have fractures that I know of but recent MRI's prove serious bone damage. Both hip joints, left femur head collapsed, right femoral head fractured, heading for collapse. Small capillaries responsible for life giving blood flow to my joints have been damaged restricting oxygen rich blood flow. The long bones(femurs) just begins to die at both ends. At first like 18 months ago at work I started feeling what I thought was sciatic nerve pain in one hip. After it went away for a day then came back it never stopped. As the head of my left femur broke apart the pain did reduce, I'm pretty sure just grinding away until the surfaces are smooth again. That hurt each and every step, popping twice per forward step. My orthopedic surgeon, to replace my hips, tells me my femurs are dried out and fragile at the ends at knee joint and hip joints so total hip replacement is an option. He may change his mind when he visibly looks at the bones. I hope this info is helpful. It's 2023 and my radiation was in 2009. So the radiation did not instantly damage or fracture my bones. The lack of blood that preserves the bones being cut off is why mine fractured.