What does a Compression Fracture feel like?

I have been on Prolia for at least 5 years. Suffered 5 thoracic fractures in Dec. and Nov. obviously Prolia not working. Switching to Evenity in August. I sure hope this works. I have severe OP! I can no longer stand up straight literally bent at the waist. Hey I can still walk😇

Never knew osteoporosis drugs could possibly not work. As they are such powerful drugs with sometimes large effects to our daily living I (wrongly) assumed they all would add some type of positive outcome to bone density and better health to our bones in every case. I guess not? I've never fractured (hip replaced due to osteoarthritis, broken wrist from car wreck) from frail bones. Seems like some who have never fractured for any reason are fracturing after taking the meds. More food for thought!

My understanding is that Forteo and Tymlos produce the strongest new bone. Just a thought. Best wishes.

I have had compression fractures in T9 and T11. They showed up on X-rays, as well as the MRI that was done after the last one last fall. The compression fracture on the T9 was moderately severe, with a 40-50% height loss. They have been totally debilitating and although I have finally returned to group exercise class, it is really hard and there are a lot of things I can no longer do, like crunches and core stuff. I used to paint on my feet for hours, but now making a simple meal leaves me in severe pain. I also used to love to garden and that also is something that I have had to change. I'll go out and very carefully trim a shrub or pull some weeds, but an hour's worth of gardening leaves me in terrible pain. So my quality of life has really gone down since the last fracture. I have severe osteoporosis but waited stupidly until this last fracture to start meds. I am currently taking TYmlos and praying it helps! I personally find it hard to believe you have a compression fracture that wouldn't show on an X-ray or MRI, so perhaps what you are feeling is something else in the spine that is awry. There are many other things like disc problems, etc, that can cause pain. Just keep using ice and heat and painkillers till you get some answers. It took me a couple months of wasted doctor appointments till one doctor finally ordered the MRI that showed the fracture. The first fracture showed up on the X-ray. Good luck to you.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I am still waiting for my Ortho Dr to review the MRI and CT Scan reports. Something is wrong and the only advice I've had from Dr's (including the Ortho Dr) is to walk!! And build up my core. I agree with that if my issues are related to muscle loss - which would be no surprise. Like you, I love being in my garden and rose beds but I can no longer keep them up the way I used to. It's very hard to tell a yard crew how to cut back a rose or shrub. They only know how to butcher it, haha! I can't bend over, my back is so tight!. And knowing the Osteoporosis is so severe it scares me to even bend. Cooking a full meal is stand, then go sit down - and repeat til I'm finished. I've tried so much to help ease the pain, massages, back braces, heating pad (way too often) ice and pain patches. Praying I get to the bottom of this.

I really don't have an answer for that. But I think I have read that it does indeed happen.

I had a T8 compression fracture while bending over the tub and leaning heavily on my ribcage. It felt like a sharp, burning pain radiating from my spine and wrapping around my ribcage on the left side. It was quite similar to a back muscle spasm which is what I thought it was.

However, the pain was not gone for three months so I had an x-ray, revealing the fracture.

My understanding is that the nerves emanating from the nerve root at the vertebrae get compressed and that is what causes the back pain. It apparently doesn't take much compression to cause pain. My fracture was only 15% compression.

hollygs and beanieone have both reported compression fractures that caused no pain. That worries me because my spine Dexa reading is -3.7 although the hip readings are within osteopenia range. My PCP told me to take calcium chewables which are causing severe constipation, so I don't know which of the two is responsible for the occasional mild ache in my left lower back. Could also be the result of my sitting at my desk for 4-6 hours at a time. I know I have to eliminate those possible causes one at a time to find the culprit, but I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience. And how you dealt with it.

@joyceh2025 I used to suffer from severe constipation too. My GI Dr said I could take Miralax every day, which I did. But then I started 300mg of Magnesium Glycinate to help me relax before bed. This cured my constipation and I no longer need to take the Miralax. Maybe this would help you too.

I also have periodic pain in my lower left back. I'm starting an exercise program so hopefully that will help strengthen my core muscles, which support the back.

I went to ER last year with sudden horrifying pain in my back while bending in the barn…. Among typical things at my age (70) arthritis, bulging disk, narrowing of spine, curvature of spine …. I was told I had 2 healed spinal compression fractures… guessing they came from my fall playing pickle ball about 5 months prior. … never felt any pain in my back then.