Connect
← Return to Fracturing easily - how do you manage everyday life?
Discussion
Fracturing easily - how do you manage everyday life?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Jul 5 7:10pm | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
I fractured my L3 on December 30th due to a severe cough which started on the 25th. When I tell my doctors this, they're quick to point that this is a fragility fracture (and I somewhat agree) but I was in bed lying on my side in a fetal position and twisted my entire torso over the bed for hours (I was forcefully coughing up copious amounts of phlegm). I later on found out that this was the worst possible position to be in while forcefully coughing for hours on end.
Anyway, PT started about 3 months after the fracture and I was taught to always bend using my knees (my knees aren't great either). I bend my knees when unloading the dishwasher or accessing certain drawers. I also use a kneeling cushion if I need to access a lower drawer. When I change the sheets - I can remove them - but my husband will put on the fitted sheet for me and I can finish the rest. I have multiple hand reachers but rarely use them now because I instinctively bend at the knees to pick stuff up from the floor (but nothing heavy). I do get frustrated by certain things - like my cabinet under the kitchen sink is a mess and needs a good scrub and I don't know if I could do that (do I kneel for an extended time to clean it or sit on the floor and lean forward)? Either option will probably bring on some serious back pain, or worse case, a fracture). So, yes, I had to grapple with some limitations because of the fracture. But I should point out that the first 3 months while it healed, I didn't bend at all on the advice of my spine doc (hence all reachers). My husband did the lionshare of the housework for those first 3 months. I rearranged my pots and pans so they were easily accessible. I also bought a metal pooper scooper to use as a dustpan after I sweep. I still use it because I don't know if bending down to use a dustpan is something I could or should do.
I would be curious to hear about other experiences with vertebra fractures and what you can and cannot do. I'd say I do 85-90% of everything I normally would do, but within reason (no lifting heavy grocery bags, no lifting anything heavy from the floor, etc). The hardest part is the "no bending". I don't know if my doctor meant for the first 3 months while the fracture healed, or is it forever? (For the record, I've asked my PT and doctors but I never get a clear answer on the "forever" part.
Replies to "I fractured my L3 on December 30th due to a severe cough which started on the..."
Connect
@doreenc
Wow! You have been through it!! I tend to disagree with you about the "fragility fracture" with all that coughing and twisting. I've argued many points with doctors and have changed doctors when needed. Our first rheumatologist (he has PMR and GCA, high doses of prednisone to treat those conditions is what caused his steroid-induced osteoporosis.) His T-score is -3.4 so it's serious and he's fracturing easily. Unfortunately.
I am going to get some reachers to have around the house. I'd get knee pads for the floor but watching the way he gets up from the floor, I'm afraid he'd potentially cause himself another fracture.
I have no issues doing whatever needs to be done around the house, and asking for help for things that I just can't do (like I hired gardeners to take care of our large yard with two hills. I cannot possibly do it and there's no way he can. I also hired cleaners every couple weeks to clean our bathrooms, the upstairs and our kitchen floor.) I can keep up with the rest. I run a licensed child care and preschool out of my home so I'm constantly cleaning downstairs. He was my assistant however he can no longer lift any of the kids but he can still tell stories and sing to them. I try to keep him as involved in the things he can do because it's uplifting for him. Otherwise I find him slouched over falling asleep on the couch - and keep telling him to recline. He just isn't catching on very quickly at how serious this is. I really thought the news of two new fractures, one caused from simply reaching the low rack of the dishwasher, would open his eyes. He's just resistant to change. I just have to keep talking with him and reminding him.
The poor guy was completely healthy until May 2023 when he developed PMR. That was awful enough, then he got the dreaded giant cell arteritis and landed in the hospital. He's had very high doses of prednisone for over a year and is now finally tapering down. He's on another drug for the GCA and now going to start Forteo. He has bruises up and down his arms that look awful and embarrass him. His eyes and face are puffy from the prednisone. He just got some sort of hemorrhage in one eye so the entire white of the eye looks bloody. It's not dangerous but it does look scary. It's just been one thing after the other. He developed osteoporosis and is now awaiting the results of a CT scan of his bladder as there might be an issue there too. As well as needing a thyroid biopsy in August after finding large nodules. It's just one thing compiled on top of another and I get his frustration. The good news is the back pain is getting better so he's not in much pain at all anymore. He did suffer for months so this part is good. However it makes him feel like he can do more than the doctor says is safe.
I also rearranged pots and pans to make them more easily accessible. We have to do what we have to do to make things work and to make them easier.
I agree with you that the hardest part is no bending. They don't want him lifting anything over 5 pounds so he can't even buy cat litter (20 pounds) at the store. I told him no more putting things into the cart and reaching down. So if he wants to shop on his own get only what will fit in the upper kid seat area and nothing heavy. I feel like the old crab always telling him what he can and can't do. It's exhausting but if I don't he'll keep doing them. Someone posted that I can't make him do these things and he's going to have to figure it out and realize he's just hurting himself. That was good advice. One thing I've learned is that the longer it takes, the more he resists doing the right things, the worse it is on me because I'm left doing everything. And with running a daycare and house, it's a lot.
How frustrating not getting an answer on whether it's forever or not.
I'm anxious to see what others have to say on their experiences on what they can and can't do. It's super helpful hearing from others and so appreciated!!