Comments on: How to Treat a Compression Fracture

By: Shirley Bell

Shirley Bell — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 22:40:54 +0000

Hi, I was in a car accident 4 weeks ago and sustained a burst compression fracture of L2 (major injury, more minor injury was hairline fracture if sternum and some bruising various places). I am finding your site very informative, I have a couple of questions though – since my fracture is traumatic in nature and not due to osteoporosis/osteopenia am I still able to follow your progression of exercises and movements? Also, when I was discharged from the hospital (admitted x 8 days) I was not told when exactly I would be able to start seeing my physiotherapist to start a proper program. I have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon 8 weeks post accident, and I did not need surgery as there was minimal intrusion into the spinal cord (no paralysis). I was shown how to get into and out of bed and good posture while using a Rollator, so for now I’m at home and being very careful how I move and walking back and forth in my house over and over! I’ve been unable to contact the surgeon’s office to ask questions so have no guidance there – sorry for the long-winded second question but do you think I should get your book and start exercises or wait until the appt with the Ortho surgeon? I’m normally a very active and healthy person (alpine hiking, trail running, active job)! Thank you for any input you may have, I wish I lived closer to you and could see you in person! (58 F near Hamilton ON)

By: Richard Martin

Richard Martin — Fri, 14 May 2021 11:05:42 +0000

In reply to Pamela Winsor. HI Pamela. Margaret cannot give out medical advice without a consultation. Please bring this question to your physician. Thank you.

By: Pamela Winsor

Pamela Winsor — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 12:32:08 +0000

I have two lumbar fractures, L1 and L5,from an unfortunate movement I made last week. I bought a brace and am taking tylenol, and using Lidocaine patches, The pain is difficult. I iive alone and shopping, doing dishes, cooking, laundry are all hard. I am afraid of making things worse.

My main question is whether it is okay to take a walk, in the middle of the day when pain is a little better. I bought a brace. I would like to try a short walk but don’t want to make things worse.

Oh- and tying shoes is definitely a problem!

I already own your book. Thank you!

By: Kathryn Oberdeck

Kathryn Oberdeck — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:15:52 +0000

Hello, a question about DXA scans if you can answer….subsequent to this whole discussion I had a DXA scan that seemed to indicate that my bones were actually in good shape for a 30 year old, much less for an almost 63 year old like me. As I have even more recently had a second in 2 spine x-rays that indicate “demineralization” along with additional vertebral compressions, I am confused, as well as alarmed. Since you deal with osteoporosis patients I am curious…..can a DXA scan be completely wrong? They did not tell me as they were supposed to not to take calcium 24 hours before, could that make a difference? Desperate to know what really is causing all this and how I can best help myself. Primary’s nurse’s answer was “well, you have osteoarthritis so that is also causing bone weakness”.

By: Richard Martin

Richard Martin — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 13:21:16 +0000

In reply to Kathryn Oberdeck. Thank you.

By: Kathryn Oberdeck

Kathryn Oberdeck — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 18:32:03 +0000

Thanks so much. I will definitely get the book. I’m re-entering my information because apparently I was searching around your blog on one of my work emails rather than my personal one. Unfortunately in the week after my meeting with the spine specialist my pain got a lot stronger. I think I moved the wrong way a few times while cooking and shopping and now have learned the cost of that. Now I can’t get out of bed unassisted and have had to pester my doctors about pain medications. They ended up with Tramadol at least at night but I am nervous about going this route…. Anyway, this site remains very helpful in terms of my thinking about what I can and can’t do. I’m university faculty, and it struck me today that if we weren’t teaching from home because of the pandemic I would have had to take time off, I don’t know how I could have gone into the classroom. Anyway, I’m impressed by all these brave folks and just trying to find out as much as I can regarding what I can safely do to help myself get better and prevent more fractures, and how I can keep from getting discouraged. Brenda’s video was very helpful in terms of all of this.

By: Margaret Martin

Margaret Martin — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 14:14:07 +0000

In reply to publichistoryuiuc.

I will share your comment with Deborah. She like many of my clients find alot of relief to their pain by spending a little time 5 – 10 minutes lying as flat as they are comfortable being and doing a gentle chest stretch, you will find this in the Posture Exercise section of my book.

You should not hesitate to purchase Exercise for Better Bones. The daily activity guide which is far more extensive than what I have online is a must after a compression fracture. I would also encourage you to explore all Posture exercises which are far more gentle that the task we do everyday. As well the safe stretches and certainly the Beginner Balance exercises would all be appropriate and helpful for you at this time.

Glad you are walking, it is good for our body and spirit as well as being good stress management tool.
Keep well. Stay safe.

By: Ann Bouwkamp

Ann Bouwkamp — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 11:21:34 +0000

I just fractured my fifth thoracic vertebrae from severe osteoporosis. I’m glad you are doing well. It does take up to six months plus. I went to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan for PT. I learned lots of exercises to help build strength. I walk approximately 5-6 miles daily. I think it is very important to have a physical therapist who specializes in PT for osteoporotic patients. They also taught me about how to pick things up, laying in bed, etc. They likened the healing to when a knuckle has a skin crack and if you keep bending it that it takes longer to heal. I bought a long handled grabber. It’s helped tremendously. I will also be getting my third Prolia treatment. It’s very painful but MFB PT gave me hope. (I’m 69 years old and need to do whatever I can to keep upright.) Good luck as you heal.

By: publichistoryuiuc

publichistoryuiuc — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 23:08:19 +0000

I am very grateful for this site and especially the exchange between Deborah and Margaret. I have a T6 compression fracture of “indeterminate age,” according to the x-ray tech, but I think it is at about 3 months old and have been wondering why it still hurts. After finally seeing a spine specialist today and doing some more reading on the web I can now see that I am being too impatient, especially as I did not know until it was detected 3 weeks ago that that was my problem. I was told today that complete healing can take a year. I am hoping that with more careful moving, which I have been trying to do, I will feel better, and eventually get to the point that I can do more than take walks to strengthen my bones. I am sorry many others are also in such pain, it certainly is life changing in a number of ways. But it is relieving to see that people are finding ways to go on. I will definitely look for the book, though I’m not sure I’ll be up to exercises for awhile (spine doctor said no PT yet, though maybe later it would help, just walk for now). But advice on daily movement is very helpful. I’m finding there is more of this on sites from Canada than here in the U.S., yet another thing to be envious of!

By: Ann Bouwkamp

Ann Bouwkamp — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 20:37:52 +0000

I’ve had four compression vertebral fractures …so sorry for your pain and I sympathize with you. My pain lasted approximately six months each time. I started Prolia last December with my second injection being in June of this year (2020). I feel very good and had been at Mary Free Bed, a rehabilitation facility to build core muscle. I walk approximately five miles daily and as of this October, I will be at a year since a fracture. Mary Free Bed has been a God send as they have specialists in osteoporosis. Hope you improve and daily living becomes easier for you.