Please share experience recovering from Thoracic fracture

Eileenhb,
@wilweten reminded me of this post about fracture pain.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323005542.htm
I'm not qualified to answer your question. I hope you find relief.

Can you share your latest dexa scores. What is your endocrinologist saying about your scores and a treatment plan?

I have a dexa next week and an appointment with endocrinologist on the 28th. Last scan I had was in 2015. There is no doubt he will want me on medication.

I experienced a T12 compression fracture that was categorized as minor in December 2024. I was in a brace for 12 weeks and did some PT to learn exercises I could do at home. Similar to you, my pain was mostly in the lower back and felt like my tailbone was bruised. I am healthy and active, but the recovery look much longer that expected! I feel like I was very careful to not do anything to aggravate the injury while increasing my exercise, but I had a few setbacks during the first year. It was probably a good year until I felt like I had turned the corner. If not careful I still have pain, but recover from it much quicker with some heat or ice. Good luck to you!

@kshea2
Thank you for sharing your experience. Good to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. How long before you were able to walk any distance?

Hi @eileenhb

I'm sorry to hear of your fracture. I've had four vertebral frax, including a T-12 in 2023 that was discovered accidentally via x-ray during an ED visit due to severe pain (in other parts of my body) caused by Tymlos.

I was told, in the ED, that the T-12 was a burst fracture and I should see a spine doc asap. The attending PA told me her mother had a burst fracture and was unable to walk so I was completely surprised when I was discharged without so much as a cane or a referral.

The spine doc told me the fracture likely happened quite awhile before its discovery and was pretty much healed - I never felt it. He also said that there was nothing that could be done - kyphoplasty, etc, and was dumbfounded that the ER insisted I see a specialist immediately. He did, however, warn me about the adverse reactions from too much steroid use . . . so there's that!

Only one of my lumbar fractures, caused me any real pain. I was unable to lie flat so I sat upright to sleep for about 3-4 months following my first fracture. This was also the first time I had heard of a compression fracture. In conjunction, my rheumatologist prescribed PT and I learned there that my legs were two different lengths and my pelvis was twisted up and around sideways. Once the PT was able to align my body, I started to improve. I have no idea how long it was "out of whack".

Although it may be of little value, my PCP prescribes rest, ice when the fracture first happens, then moist heat and ibuprofen/acetominophen three times a day to keep inflammation at bay. It works for me, but you may want to clear this with your PCP or other med professional.

Wishing you a speedy recovery! Cheers!

Hi
I have had spinal fractures since 2022 my first one was T8 all I did was roll over in bed horrific pain and muscle spasms for weeks. Then in 2025 I fractured a game but my T9 and T10 and not pain was insane had PT rehab feeling great and then this July all three refractured. All I did was bend over to turn on the shower. So I was on an IV injection once a year for 4 years and I should not have fractured again but because I had radiation to my chest for breast cancer in 2024 it's affected my spine. So I had a prolia shot September 9th but I'm not staying on this drug as horrid so I don't know what the plan will be but I am done with prolia. It takes a long time to rehab and I wish you well just stay steady and don't lose hope