1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

I keep falling/breaking bones

Posted by glassbonz561 @glassbonz561, Oct 2, 2021

Lately I keep falling, just losing my footing, and being 5”11 I go down hard. Three months ago I fell forward on my hands and broke my left rib. One week ago I lost my footing and fell in the grass on my hands and broke my collarbone and right rib! It was the worst pain imaginable. I screamed so hard I lost my voice. I had to have surgery on my collarbone and the inserted a plate and screws..I’m 64. Lift weights, vegan diet, athletic build..what’s going on??

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connie72 | @connie72 | Oct 7, 2021
In reply to @artist01 "@connie 72. I've fallen several times recently, but only during blackouts. However, like you, Connie, I..." + (show)
@artist01

@connie 72. I've fallen several times recently, but only during blackouts. However, like you, Connie, I began swaying backwards or sideways a few months ago and having to grab onto doorways, furniture or my walker to save myself from falling. Since a heart attack in July, I've got 8 or 9 new medications so my doctor thinks that may be the cause. However, I have so many other complex health conditions, who knows? Lol. I'm just at the point of accepting everything as it comes, and telling myself " it is what it is". I certainly don't want any more medications to try to control this new problem. I'm very aware of the danger involved and remain cautious and alert, always. Good luck to you in your struggle to remain vertical! Warm regards, Laurie.

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Thank you , Laurie. Hope you stay safe and up right as well.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 7, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "Good evening to all of you and thanks for the introduction, Amanda. I have been fighting..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good evening to all of you and thanks for the introduction, Amanda. I have been fighting falling for several years when my right knee buckled. I had my first TKR 10 years ago. That was on the left side. As time went on the buckling became worse on the right side. One of the issues that has made me quite happy about this 2nd TKR on the right side is the fact that the buckling is gone.

I no longer have to hold on to doorways as I pass through or make sure I am near something I can grab when I get out of bed or up from a chair at dinner. My PT post-surgery understood exactly what buckling meant and how it got started. Connections between nerves and muscles were just not happening. I am at week 7 now and I have not had any buckling by the new knee which has to mean that signals are being directed appropriately and therefore I am more secure and confident that my knee just won't give way and cause a fall. You may want to check on that situation.

May you be free, protected, and safe from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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I found an article that as additional information about knees that buckle. Let me know if anything appears to be helpful in understanding what may be going on.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322074
Knowledge is power and I join you all in wanting to add to our knowledge and understanding of what is going on in our bodies.
Chris

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oldkarl | @oldkarl | Oct 8, 2021

@glassbonz561 Interesting. I break bones occasionally, but not just when I fall. I broke my pinky toe while putting on my compression stockings. My nose bone when my Holstein bull swing his head around out of curiosity. My arm when I ran it through a clothes washer ringer. Skull fracture and broken thumb playing university football. etc. etc. Frustrating. At least you are moving toward a reason. oldkarl

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Oct 9, 2021

@glassbonz561 Havw you been able to see a doctor and discuss your situation?

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cindiwass | @cindiwass | Oct 10, 2021
In reply to @connie72 "I had chemo for 2 years and about 6 months later my legs started just turning..." + (show)
@connie72

I had chemo for 2 years and about 6 months later my legs started just turning to jelly ! I have a horrible fear of falling ; I now use a walker but if I try to walk in my apartment with out it I tend to fall side ways to the left or started to fall backward ! I have had brain scans , cat scans , ear exams and NO one seems to know or understand WHY I just keep doing this ! It is much worse when I am am tired . I have routine labs ordered by my cancer Dr. and all are ok . I have \been in remission with Waldrom Strom Sydrome for 5 1/2 years . .

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Hi. I have a hip and knee problem and am always afraid of falling. I walk like I'm about to fall. Maybe I am. People probably think I'm drunk because I'm walking. I tend to start to fall backwards sometimes also. I haven't done so yet but I have fallen several times, losing my balance when I stumble across something. I keep a walker usually in the car, but sometimes I go without. That's probably not too good. I have, however, a bad knee and hip. As far as your legs turning to jelly, do you exercise? (I don't, but it probably would help me to do so. Only the last time I went swimming for exercise I came back with pain worse than before, so I won't go swimming again for a while.

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2 replies
connie72 | @connie72 | Oct 11, 2021
In reply to @cindiwass "Hi. I have a hip and knee problem and am always afraid of falling. I walk..." + (show)
@cindiwass

Hi. I have a hip and knee problem and am always afraid of falling. I walk like I'm about to fall. Maybe I am. People probably think I'm drunk because I'm walking. I tend to start to fall backwards sometimes also. I haven't done so yet but I have fallen several times, losing my balance when I stumble across something. I keep a walker usually in the car, but sometimes I go without. That's probably not too good. I have, however, a bad knee and hip. As far as your legs turning to jelly, do you exercise? (I don't, but it probably would help me to do so. Only the last time I went swimming for exercise I came back with pain worse than before, so I won't go swimming again for a while.

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I was trying to do water aerobics this summer but like you , my legs were worse and I ended up hurting my back as well when I came down to hard on the shallow end of the pool while doing jumping jacks . I do a lot of walking here in my apartment and in the halls but my legs only continue to be weak and by evening my feet & legs some times are numb even with them elevated in my recliner .

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 11, 2021
In reply to @connie72 "I was trying to do water aerobics this summer but like you , my legs were..." + (show)
@connie72

I was trying to do water aerobics this summer but like you , my legs were worse and I ended up hurting my back as well when I came down to hard on the shallow end of the pool while doing jumping jacks . I do a lot of walking here in my apartment and in the halls but my legs only continue to be weak and by evening my feet & legs some times are numb even with them elevated in my recliner .

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@cindiwass & @connie72 - Like every other form of exercise, water aerobics must be modified for your body and health. When we have someone new to our group (informal) in our small community pool, we make sure to point this out.
Suggested cautions -
If you haven't exercised for a while, start with just the warmup, and add a little every week or so.
If you don't do it on land, be very cautious about doing it in water - for me that means no jumping jacks.
Wear good shoes - I have a pair of good, supportive mesh-topped athletic shoes that I wear only in the pool.
STOP if something hurts.

The same cautions go for swimming, it is strenuous exercise, restart with baby steps. Some strokes and kicks are harder on the body than others - find what works for you. My Mom and her sister swam for exercise into their 80's - my aunt could only backstroke, and my Mom could sidestroke, but it kept them moving.

Maybe trying wwith the concept of baby steps, you could retry water exercise.
Sue

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Oct 11, 2021
In reply to @cindiwass "Hi. I have a hip and knee problem and am always afraid of falling. I walk..." + (show)
@cindiwass

Hi. I have a hip and knee problem and am always afraid of falling. I walk like I'm about to fall. Maybe I am. People probably think I'm drunk because I'm walking. I tend to start to fall backwards sometimes also. I haven't done so yet but I have fallen several times, losing my balance when I stumble across something. I keep a walker usually in the car, but sometimes I go without. That's probably not too good. I have, however, a bad knee and hip. As far as your legs turning to jelly, do you exercise? (I don't, but it probably would help me to do so. Only the last time I went swimming for exercise I came back with pain worse than before, so I won't go swimming again for a while.

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@cindiwass My balance isn’t so good, especially when I’m out walking. I just signed on to an app Nymbl, that has about 10 minutes of exercise/day to improve balance. It was recommended by our county health agency. Try it and see if you like it, and let me know!

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1 reply
cindiwass | @cindiwass | Oct 11, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "@cindiwass My balance isn’t so good, especially when I’m out walking. I just signed on to..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@cindiwass My balance isn’t so good, especially when I’m out walking. I just signed on to an app Nymbl, that has about 10 minutes of exercise/day to improve balance. It was recommended by our county health agency. Try it and see if you like it, and let me know!

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I certainly will look at it. Thanks.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 12, 2021

@glassbonz561
Sorry to hear you had so many serious fractures.
I haven’t read this entire thread but do you they could possibly be due at least in part to your vegan diet or are you getting all the 20 or so nutrients needed for good bone health.
I fall all the time and have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis and only broke a wrist falling over my lawnmower. I've been amazingly lucky although my head doesn't fair so good.
Jake

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