broken kneecap and osteoporosis

@melia7 I broke my patella (kneecap) about 20 years ago. I fell on the ice while I was skating. At least it was a good story at the time because I was doing something fun. I was in the osteopenia range at that time. My orthopedic doctor put me in a leg brace that I could take off to bathe but otherwise I wore it for about 6 weeks. My doctor told me, after the x-rays, that since I did not tear any of the tendons and attachments to the knee that I did not need surgery. After I healed I did not have any other problems with that knee.

By the way I was in the osteoporosis range when I had a total hip replacement five years ago. My orthopedic surgeon told me at the time that while my bone was "soft" he did not think with this intervention that the osteoporosis would influence my healing.

I don't know if casting is now used for a kneecap fracture. If I were you I would try to get in to see an orthopedic physician and get their opinion on your knee. I have found that emergency and urgent care clinics sometimes Under-treat or over-treat and it's wise to get follow-up.

What do you plan to do next?

to Helen
Thanks so much for your prompt response and compassion! I feel now not so frightened. Indeed, my intention is to visit orthopedic specialist next week. They made several X rays in emergency and made an appointment with specialist, and before this I have to make another x rays.

@melia7 Oh, good. That sounds like an excellent plan. You will know more after meeting with the specialist. Will you come back here and let me know what happens at the appointment with the specialist?

For sure, Helen! Hope somebody else in future will benefit from our experience.

I am glad to know that you were able to have a total hip replacement even though you were osteoporotic. Did it heal well? That is a big concern for me. Were you taking any medications for osteoporosis? This one(s)? And now?

Thank you in advance.

@mariannepp My hip did heal well. I've had some x-rays since the hip surgery and it shows no problems. I was taking Fosamax prior to the total hip replacement. I had been on that medication for 3 years at that point. My surgeon advised me to stop the Fosamax about one month (I could off on that timing) prior to the surgery date.

I had a fracture of the sacrum (bone in the lower back) about two years ago due to the pelvic radiation I had for recurrent endometrial cancer. Because of that fracture my endocrinologist recommended 12 months of Evenity. I completed the Evenity and last week I had a Reclast infusion also recommended by my endocrinologist. I made significant gains in bone density (over 6% gain) in my right hip (it's my left hip where I had the hip replacement so that hip cannot be scanned for the bone density exam) and in my back (4% gain). The Reclast infusion was administered to lock in those gains. I had no symptoms or reactions to the Evenity or the Reclast infusion and I feel really great.

I asked my orthopedic surgeon lots of questions about my osteoporosis prior to the hip replacement surgery. He answered all of my questions and there were no complications with the surgery.

Are you scheduled for hip replacement surgery? When will you talk with your surgeon about your concerns about osteoporosis?

I am not scheduled for surgery, but i have osteoporosis and compression fractures at various places in my spine and ribs. I fall a lot, but nothing drastic has dislocated any of the bones.

The doctors are scaring me into prolia. I guess I"ll go with that, though I'm lot inclined.

Thanks for your sharing with the group and your interest me.