Soft bones?

I sympathise. I broke my right wrist two years ago at the age of 77. Like you it was a severe break and I had to have surgery, and all is well now. Nobody mentioned soft bones and I wonder if I have them as 11 years ago I had a bad fall and broke three bones in my left arm requiring surgery.

Milliedog
Yes, very good advice.

Diet also part of the equation - alkalising and acidifying foods
The website Save Our Bones is definitely worth checking out - useful short newsletters on latest research, exercises and nutrition info/recipes.

I had a dexa scan years ago which revealed osteoporosis in my spine and one hip and osteopeania in the other hip. I took alendronic acid for a few years but stopped it as I hated it and was worried about jaw bone necrosis. The specialist wanted to give me stronger medication via an infusion, but the appointment didn't come through and I went off the idea. May I suggest that everyone who has osteoporosis has a simple blood test to rule out coeliac disease? Many people have osteoporosis because they are coeliac. Being coeliac means you don't absorb vitamins and minerals as you should. A strict gluten free diet means you will absorb vitamains and minerals more efficiently and won't be at extra risk of cancer etc.....

I am 69. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Hypophosphatasia. It is a rare genetic, metabolic disease with many varying symptoms including ‘softer bones’, similar to osteoporosis but not the same. It has been a struggle as some people do not always experience symptoms. Others have a few problems. My teeth have been terrible since my youth and cost me a fortune in dentistry! I have broken 8 bones and have had calcium leaking from bone in my foot causing disability. However, panic and misinformation don’t help. Soft bones as a term is too loosely used in relation to breakages. A blood test is part of an HPP diagnosis. A referral to a regional unit is necessary. Regular DEXA scans are necessary. I take vit D and calcium and other treatment. Osteoporosis is more likely than HPP and we women are more prone to that. Hence women over the menopause break bones when they fall. Soft bones should not ever be a casual reference because for some like me, Soft Bones is a thing. Because I have had a proper diagnosis and assessment for the condition. So sorry for the babbling! I love Gransnet. So many lovely people. Thank you!

You need a bone density test and an appointment with a consultant.

Sorry for you Foxglove. I’m another with osteoporosis, you’d never guess to look at me I’m sure. It’s from years of thyroid medication and occasional steroids for my chest. I had a fracture of my ankle which occasioned a dexa scan.
I walk a lot and try to skip. I tale calciD tablets and something called Raloxifene. Hopefully you can get a Dexa scan to sort this out properly.

You will likely receive an appt for a bone density scan; I broke my wrist about 5 years ago, bone density scan revealed I had Osteopenia (the stage prior to Osteoporosis), I have taken Alendronic Acid ever since and whilst I am still osteopenic it has reversed it to some extent; ie I was previously halfway along the scale between Osteopenia and Osteoporosis, now I am only just over the line between Osteopenia and normal

Hi Foxglove 77
It sounds as if you had a hard knock. I broke my wrist when falling down the stairs and also had to have a plate added. Now one would not know I broke my wrist as there is only a small lump that one can only vaguely notice.

As for your soft bones, you are correct in taking vitamin D but try adding one with calcium also.
I have had osteoporosis for many years now but still able to climb up a steep hill while on my daily walk. I do have to have an injection every ,6 months.
Take care
Cath

I requested a DEXA scan after a minor trip resulted in broken ribs. I had previously cracked a bone in my wrist in my early 60s and already knew I had osteopenia, but had not had the then recommended 2 year follow-up due to Covid delays. I too am petite so I guess it’s harder to use body weight to keep bones strong. Small women are more at risk of bone thinning perhaps in part due to having smaller thinner bones to start with. Iwas put on medication in my 50s to protect my bones whilst taking long term corticosteroids ( which can thin bones) but unfortunately could not tolerate it.
There was a study reported on TV recently (but I don’t remember the program!- sorry) that monitored bone thickness changes with weight bearing exercise ( in this case the exercise was one sided hopping so that the other leg for each participant acted as the control) to assess the effect of weight bearing exercise on bone improvement and the results showed improvement, suggesting weight bearing exercise should help!

I used to be 1.5” taller too……which I tidied up to 5’2” of course.

First of all, sending best wishes to Foxglove and hopes that the wrist causes no more trouble.
But this thread has made me think. I was 5 foot 5 when I last looked about 20 years ago. But recently I took part in the national Our Future Health project and was measured at 5 foot 3.
Others have said they'd lost two inches and I'm wondering if I should ask for a bone scan. Or would that be a waste of NHS resources?

I have just checked soft bones. Had a bit of a shock. I actually had this as a baby due to lack of food in post war Germany.
It’s called rickets in children. I wonder if I shoukd ask for it to be checked.

I have heard of Brittle bones and glass bones but not soft ones.
Would agree with weights, nothing too major, but you can get weighted things to strap on wrists or ankles or use a tin on beans in each hand.
Will check out soft bones, like you Foxglove I am 5’ nothing so understand, and out of interest I will google soft bones.
I have never had a bone scan, but assume you must have pain or accident to trigger a check.

Weights. Good for bone density. Never too late to start

Definitely worth checking with your GP. Blood test and DEXA scan. I’m 64 and always been active but found out I had osteoporosis 4 years ago after an X-ray for constant back pain showed compression fractures in my spine. Quite a shock!! I am now on Calci D tablets and yearly Zoledronic acid infusion. I’m surprised you haven’t been referred automatically but don’t leave it until you suffer from more complications. Once you know you can deal with it. Good luck and hope you’re healing well.

I did the same. Had a calcium blood test. Turns out I had hyperparathyroidism. Recovering from surgery. I'm 69. Worth checking

Due to medication I was on for years I was told ages ago that I had ostoepaenia following a routine DEXA scan. I can't even remember how long ago that was, because I am lucky in that I have never broken a bone.

I was also told that most women of a certain age will have deteriorating bones and that it will go undetected until a fall and a break. Neither does it always develop into full blown osteoporosis.

Your post has prompted me into asking whether a scan might be beneficial for me- though there is something in me that doesn't need to know? I will just carry on living my life, though I don't have anything to do with horses...

Hi all, I'm new to posting, exploring the site and came a cross this post. After a complicated ankle fracture 12 years ago dexa scan showed I was in the osteopenia range- just below normal. Have since been taking ad kal to maintain fit D levels and focussed on keeping fit, weight within normal range, pilates for balance, lots of swimming and I've lucky to enjoy good health and fitness since. Until his spring when had a back injury. Did all the usual things to manage conservatively but requested an Xray when wasn't making progress as expected- that showed some wedge fractures in lumbar spine. Then requested Dexa scan which now shows have slipped into osteoporosis stage despite all keep fit and strong efforts. Gp has been supportive but delays in NHS appointments can be frustrating. Such is life and as Mum and sister had osteoporosis at much earlier age I consider myself lucky in a way, I accept the family risk factor and feel its best to focus on coming to terms with osteoporosis and all that entails to manage going forward. If anyone else has advice how to manage, adapt etc I'd very much appreciate hearing your story.

M0nica

Allira

Devorgilla

Ask you doctor for a bone density scan. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago. I didn't break anything but it did feel like I had such was the impact. If you have family members with osteoporosis it strengthens your request. I asked for a scan recently and it showed I had a lower bone density that they like so I, too, am on Vitamin D and Calcium to prevent it getting worse. Also, if you have lost height - e.g. can't reach easily a shelf you could - then that's a red flag for doctor. Good luck.

It's amazing, I've lost 2.5 inches but there are no red flags, apparently!

That I have osteoporosis, was found purely by chance. I am a member of th UK Biobank reaerch project and I was asked to come in for a baseline review, including a DEXA scan.

This discovered I had osteoporosis and I was referred to my GP who sent me to the local hospital, who retetsted me and prescribed for me. I too had shrunk 2.5 inches without comment, but as I enjoy general good health I rarely saw a doctor, so there had been little opportunity to measure me.

This was found when I went for the DEXA scan, M0nica which - apparently - brought up no red flags!

Allira

Devorgilla

Ask you doctor for a bone density scan. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago. I didn't break anything but it did feel like I had such was the impact. If you have family members with osteoporosis it strengthens your request. I asked for a scan recently and it showed I had a lower bone density that they like so I, too, am on Vitamin D and Calcium to prevent it getting worse. Also, if you have lost height - e.g. can't reach easily a shelf you could - then that's a red flag for doctor. Good luck.

It's amazing, I've lost 2.5 inches but there are no red flags, apparently!

That I have osteoporosis, was found purely by chance. I am a member of th UK Biobank reaerch project and I was asked to come in for a baseline review, including a DEXA scan.

This discovered I had osteoporosis and I was referred to my GP who sent me to the local hospital, who retetsted me and prescribed for me. I too had shrunk 2.5 inches without comment, but as I enjoy general good health I rarely saw a doctor, so there had been little opportunity to measure me.

Thank you for your comments. I will ask my GP if a DEXA scan is possible. Not looking forward to losing height, I'm only 5ft nothing to start with!

More abbreviations!
TKR is apparently total knee replacement.

I was found to have soft bones during my TKR about 9 years ago.
The Consultant told me afterwards and arranged a DEXA scan.
I have been on Calcium and Vit D since.
I have had two DEXA scans since and have lost more than 2 inches.

Devorgilla

Ask you doctor for a bone density scan. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago. I didn't break anything but it did feel like I had such was the impact. If you have family members with osteoporosis it strengthens your request. I asked for a scan recently and it showed I had a lower bone density that they like so I, too, am on Vitamin D and Calcium to prevent it getting worse. Also, if you have lost height - e.g. can't reach easily a shelf you could - then that's a red flag for doctor. Good luck.

It's amazing, I've lost 2.5 inches but there are no red flags, apparently!