3 replies to this topic

[COOL Mobility]

It is a sickening sound hearing a major bone break. I recommend everyone in a chair talk to their Dotor regarding some treatment to prevent Osteoporosis. I'm now getting annual infusions of Aclastaand taking Ostelin and Caltrate, but the damage has been done. Even if I'd just started taking Ostelin(Vitamin D) years ago, I might have much better bones in my legs now.

I have always drunk milk and love cheese and before my accident I only drank milk - over 2-3 litres prer day and twenty years ago fell out of my chair and sat badly on my foot, breaking both bones at the ankle. I healed that, to the Doctor's amazement in 4 weeks and felt I was bullet proof. But hey, twenty years on I find I'm far from bullet proof.

I have found out I have Osteoporosis in my legs after 33 years as a C5-C6 quad (note: spine is fine due to load bearing causing retention of Calcium there) and over a year ago I broke a hip in a minor accident in Singapore. Once I got home to Australia, I rested for a week then was transferring into my car and heard a horrific 'crack'. My wife overheard the crack and said "did your car seat break" and I replied "no, I think that was my leg!".

Well it was my leg and the femur broke at the end of the plate and split up where screws went in - a real mess. Eventually that was fixed but it was the combination of the Osteporosis and the localised pressure of the plate end that made the bone fail. I now have a 12mm diameter rod right up the centre of my Femur (thigh bone) and another bifg screw into my hip.

There are bone density scans that will give you data on bone strength of spine and upper Femur and I wish I'd had one a decade ago when I might have been able to start taking Vitamin D and retained more Calcium in my bones.

Don't be like me and assume your bones are OK as odds are, after a long time in a chair, that they are not.

[Tetracyclone]

Cool Mobility-

Odds are after a short time in a chair we suffer bone loss. I was extremely active before my accident but one year out measured enough bone loss to require treatment, though most of that probably happened in the first 3-6 months.

Think of the difference between snapping a green twig and snapping a twig that is dried out and perhaps a bit rotted. The latter will disintegrate with a roll of your fingers.

eek.

[COOL Mobility]

I agree Teracyclone

It is scary how easily it can happen, and as you said rapidly, and you have no idea. I'm very disappointed that neither the Spinal unit nor my GP recommended a bone scan earlier than 31 years post injury. I feel it should be part of an annual checkup as it is a lot cheaper than treating a broken limb, and a whole heap less traumatic.

The leg is rarely the same - flexibility wise - and for some it may mean months of bed rest, which sets you back a lot too.

I'd certainlty recommend most people to talk to their GP about taking Vitamin D and preferrably have a bone scan, even if only 20 to get a base line for comparison.

[KeepTheFaith]

Doctor should be checking Vitamin D levels and doing a bone density test yearly. My last bone scan showed osteopenia, which is a precursor to osteoporosis. I was told to go in the sun for 20 minutes a day and take a calcium supplement with vitamin D. (I take Jarrow's Formulas "Bone-up" - 9 capsules a day) I also have a standing frame and do static standing every day if possible. If my repeat bone scan is not improved the doctor discussed putting me on Fosomax.