Due to an underlying health condition, I was placed on high dose prednisone steroids, that in just 2 years time, weakened my bones so severely, that I have encountered SEVEN vertebral compression fractures in the last 5 months. When she starts to feel achy, she sits down for 15 minutes and puts it on. Brenda can do a little laundry, but ironing is very difficult, so she has embraced the rumpled linen look. In the 1980s, we werent sure whether flexion or extension exercises were a safe thing to give to a woman with osteoporosis or people with back pain. A l1 compression fracture is a serious injury that can cause pain, disability, and even death. I would appreciate your comments. The vertebrae itself is actually quite a bit shorter in stature than the vertebrae above and below it. Will be purchasing book but was wondering whether your video would be of benefit as well. I am finally starting to feel better. This is because the nerves that exit the thoracic spine from T2 to T12 wrap around the torso to innervate the back, sides, and front of your body as well as your organs. I am tired of just sitting and waiting! Rest is not recommended, its important that the patient remains active. Your situation does not sound unusual. Brenda is limited in what she can do in the kitchen. But all that changed 100% because of the pain. Someone suggested cold but that doesnt seem to help. Wall push-ups Bow-and-arrow pull: This exercise helps improve back muscles to promote good posture. More than two-thirds of patients are asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on plain radiography. When she first had her T9 compression fracture, Brenda could not drive. . Hi Donald, There is a ton you should do or rather should not do. My clients come to see me after they have been diagnosed and no one has told them that their vertebral fractures can get worse (until they meet me). Decrease your pain at rest and with movement. Many of my clients and readers of this blog have asked me to assemble a list of Recommended Products that I think should be a part of their therapy, strength training, and pain relief program. I have asked many health care providers and no one has ever heard of this type of residual pain from a thoracic compression fracture. Start small. She states that her life went from white to black a 100% change in her life. Until you get the book, any stretch where you are lying flat on your back or your stomach you know is safe.i.e. Products and services. Once you have been given the green light by your physician or surgeon to exercise, you can also start exploring intercourse again. Any injury that changes the shape of a lumbar vertebra will alter the lumbar. I am waiting for an appointment at the spine clinic to see if I am a candidate for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. A simple yet effective stretching exercise for the lumbar spine is to sit on the floor, legs outstretched in front of you. Preventing and treating osteoporosis is the best way to decrease your risk for compression fractures. I have quite a few clients that have compression fractures and do not even know they ever had them. They want me to start a Forteo which is very expensive which my copay is $900 a month. Make sure you follow good movement patterns during your activities of daily living (ADL). She can do it with the poles and the vest because it keeps her in the proper position. I went back to work on reduced hours. Osteoporosis is the most common cause of compression fractures. After a high impact fall from my horse I broke my pelvis and whilst rehabbing from this I hurt my back from a minor movement and then again and then again. Just as we are all unique in our makeup, the same applies to compressions that can occur in the spine. Use a pillow between your knees and ankles when sleeping on your side. I would GREATLY appreciate any advice you have in what type of expert/specialist I need to find that can help with my back and these fractures. The following is the treatment protocol I use (based on the Bennell study) for clients with compression fractures. For example, in order to peel a potato or a carrot, she had to put both my forearms on the counter. Thats much safer on the spine. They help her with fighting this gravitational pull that she experiences from morning till night. The group that did no exercise at all (group #4) still had a very high rate of fracturing. prognosis after simple compression fractures is excellent for most patients to improve with little or no residual back pain and no functional impairments. Hi Sue: Thank you for sharing your story and experiences. I want to talk about a topic that is especially close to my heart: movements that increase your risk for spinal fractures or compression fractures. A pre-existing spinal fracture: Having one spinal fracture greatly increases your chances of having another. Available from: Kinematics of the Spine. The clients think that they are doing things that are sound and right for them given the fragility of their bones. I have always had an active lifestyle, my nutrition has always been really good especially from the calcium angle and I have never smoked and had very little alcohol BUT I couldnt change my mother! An existing compression fracture increases the risk to five-times to obtain an other compression fracture in the future. The first 8 weeks are the hardest. [2][7][8], A lumbar compression fracture is a serious injury, both when caused by osteoporosis or by trauma. I have been searching and searching for some real information about living with compression fractures. Unfortunately, there are a lot of movements that they are doing (under the guidance of a fitness instructor or book that is not familiar with osteoporosis) that might be good for the general public but not for individuals with low bone density, osteopenia or osteoporosis. The men had enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study between 2000 and 2002. Are there any studies done with that scenario? These conversations provide you both with the opportunity to demonstrate love and care for each other. Loss of height A curved, stooped shape to your spine The pain typically happens with a slight back strain during an everyday activity like: Lifting a bag of groceries Bending to the floor to pick. Ensure that your MD gives you the green light. Have you ever heard of this type of pain? These small compression fractures can cause the spine to lose height and stability over time. I went to a chiropracter I thought that would sort everything wrong it got worse. It has only been of late that she feels comfortable enough to drive, but she is much lower now in the seat of the car three inches lower. Osteoporos Int. Most of the fractures occur at the thoracolumbar junction. Im glad you are doing well. Have open and honest conversations about these feelings with your partner. In this tutorial, were going to look at why the lumbar and thoracic spine is more at risk than other bones in the body of a compression fracture. I would love to know the best way to sleep. [11], Changes in the size of the thoracic kyphosis/lumbar lordosis: [11][10]. Occasionally life gets in the way of being able to devote time to her regular exercises. Unfortunately, that dream holiday became a nightmare. Yoga and osteoporosis should you practice yoga if you have osteoporosis? Find the most gentle exercise he can do without making his pain worse and progress from there. . I think that is very important. I take ZERO pain medication for this, as sincerely NOTHING helps alleviate ANY of my back pain. These can be broken into two major groups: one set of exercises for posture and flexibility and the other for strengthening. Sudden pain when you take a deep breath, cough, sneeze, and/or move your spine in certain directions. Hi Margaret, thank you so much for this valuable information, more useful than anything else Ive found on the net. It consists of five vertebrae known as L1 - L5. Learn how your comment data is processed. We have a normal small outer curve in our upper back, referred to as the thoracic spine. The pain is not in my back! In the beginning, shortly after the compression fracture food preparation was limited to semi-prepared or prepared foods. Repeat to the other side. Hope you improve and daily living becomes easier for you. Have a shorter duration of back pain. On the first day of the trip she experienced severe back pain (to learn more about the relationship between compression fractures and back pain, please read the section later in this blog post) when she moved some heavy bags. I sincerely live in near DIRE back pain. Use a heating pad to help your muscles relax. There are two more videos later in the blog. It increases the trunk muscle strength in patients with osteoporotic fractures in the vertebrae. Start at the thoracolumbar junction and extend to the promontorium of the sacrum. I am 60 years old. Brenda finds the dynamic tape to be another kind of little miracle worker. This is a substantial difference. It is important that you keep this in mind and I recommend that many people consider couples therapy during times of stress. MelioGuide Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis, Physical Therapy Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment, August 22, 2022 By Margaret Martin 55 Comments. My main question is whether it is okay to take a walk, in the middle of the day when pain is a little better. Too severe for her pain medications to suppress. I was in excruciating pain more that the pelvis injury but nothing was investigated by physio or doctor until my friends insisted that I needed to get an xray or mri and finally I did and it showed my five lumbar vertebrae have compression fractures. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 2006; 12: 31-38 (Level of Evidence 1B). A lumbar compression fracture is located in the lower portion of the spine. It has really helped with that long muscle in her back that is strained. I too have been very mindful of bone strength and my genetic vulnerability way before menopause. This is a big, big step and improvement for Brenda. Brenda indicated that the best compression fracture Physical Therapy treatment option for her has been myofascial release. In elderly patients with severe osteoporosis, however, there may be no pain at all as the fracture occurs spontaneously. Im re-entering my information because apparently I was searching around your blog on one of my work emails rather than my personal one. It is not something I wish on any of you. (1) They are generally classified when at least 20% of the height of the affected portion is lost. It is a very good time to work on the breathing (as discussed in the book and on the site) as well as to ensure you are doing all your daily activities with utmost care and good body mechanics. Pain is still there but getting better. [9], Patients who followed a back extensor-strengthening program have a smaller chance to relapse into a new lumbar fracture in the future. [8]It is important that the patient overcomes his fear of movement (kinesiophobia) and continues with his/her activities.