Hi,
I have a question for those with vertebral fractures. I have two mild compression fractures at T4 and T8 that I think happened about two and a half months ago when I had a coughing fit. I was then diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in the spine. I have been slowing healing. I was also nursing my 7 mon old son and had to wean immediately and I heard that nursing may keep you from healing. But I wanted to know what others experiences were regarding the pain. My pain is mostly at night when I roll over (twist), other than that, it is just twinges. The last two nights, my pain has gotten much worse towards morning in possibly a lower position on my back. I still have to lift my 21 lb son on occasion and I am worried I caused another vertebral fracture. My doctor told me not to lift more than 25 pounds but that was before he knew I had osteoporosis. I just don't know who much I should be lifting at this point either. I know I need to be careful with how I lift.
Can anyone tell me what their pain feels like for a fracture, especially a new one? And what weight limit have your doctors given you for not lifting-- either when you have a fracture or just trying to prevent one?
Thank you in advance, Julie
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vertebral fractures
- By jpod
- Posted February 7, 2009 at 8:19 am · 6 replies
- In Premenopausal women (ages 25-50) with osteoporosis
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- By abbeyg
- Posted February 7, 2009 at 5:03 pm
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Hi Julie,
I have two fractures a compression fracture at L2 and a burst fracture at T12 and also been told that I have severe osteoporosis. My pain may been different since I had to have surgery to stabilize my spine, but my pain is mainly in my lower back and my hips still give me a fit. Sometimes when I first get up in the morning I have pain that is higher up almost between my shoulder blades. However, the lower back pain and burning is there all day everyday. My fractures were found on x-ray and ct scan 6 months ago but I think at least one of them happened a month before that.
I cannot lift more than 15 pounds per my doctor and have not picked up my son in the past 6 months, he now weighs 19.5 pounds. I was nursing as well but I had a supply problem and we had already started weaning before the fractures were noted.
- By SaraMeeks
- Posted February 8, 2009 at 4:48 am
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Hello to both of you. With children as young as you are posting, both of you must be quite young and, with the diagnosis of fracture and osteoporosis, you need to take steps to prevent any more fractures in the future. Once you have one fracture, you are at substantial increase in risk for more.
The weight lifting limits the doctors have given you mean that you must "take it easy" There is no real formula that tells you what is safe and what is not.
Also, you should learn good body mechanics so that, when you do lift, you are at less risk for injury. For that, you would need to see a physical therapist and I would recommend you see one who has been trained in osteoporosis management. In addition, you need strengthening exercises to strengthen your back extensors, hip support muscles and other areas at risk for injury. You cannot go to just any exercise class as you may be given exercises there that would increase your problem -- read more fractures here. AND,besides that, due to the fact you have small children and cannot always practice ideal body mechanics, I would recommend the Spinomed III brace to support and strengthen your back.
If either of you want to be my "friend" you could contact me that way from this site. You could also contact me privately at sara@sarameekspt.com for more information.
- By Oakside
- Posted February 8, 2009 at 7:39 am
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I, too, have severe osteoporosis, several fractures and have pain when twisting the spine - either in bed or to look behind when driving etc. though I am much older than you are.
I have discovered turning over in bed is less painful if my torso and legs are in a straight line, and muscles are holding my body as ridgid as possible.
Lifting is best accomplished with the torso through hips to knees in a straight line - in other words kneeling, is necessary to lift anything low down. Lifting to the required height may need to be done in stages. Or picking something light off the floor is best done with one leg behind and in a straight line with my torso. Although I wear a back brace when eg. gardening or painting a wall, I take it off immediately the task is completed and would not wear one in 'normal' circumstances, as a friend who did was rapidly unable to even get to the bathroom at night without wearing the brace. Though maybe the one recommended by Sarah Meeks would not cause that problem?
- By Oakside
- Posted February 8, 2009 at 7:42 am
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Also, if I'm going to cough I lean my back hard against either a wall or straight backed chair so my spine doesn't take the force of the cough, or at least hold my lower back firmly . . .
- By abbeyg
- Posted February 10, 2009 at 7:07 pm
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I am 28 years old. I haven't meet anyone locally with the same injuries that is anywhere close to my age. I tell someone that I have osteo and they look at me like I have totally lost it.
- By MotherGoose
- Posted February 11, 2009 at 6:46 am
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Julie:
21 pounds is way too much for you right now.
No forward bending or twisting of the spine either. Safe Body Movement is very important for now and into your future. Search at the NOF site -- (click on the right above). Or google that phrase -- with quote around it."safe body movements".
And get to a knowledgeable physical therapist ASAP.
You need her/his help now!
Lucy BuckleyPT aka Mother Goose
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