• Topic
• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Surgery for osteoporosis >> Surgery for osteoporosis

Surgery for osteoporosis

• Clip
• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Dennis - Interview 13 >> It was very painful when Dennis first had physiotherapy after his fracture but now he has no pain when he exercises at home.

Dennis was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2004. In 2007 his spine ‘collapsed’ and he had two operations. He has to wear a supportive back brace for the next nine months. Until recently he was on Pamidronate but his treatment for osteoporosis is under review. He takes Calcichew D3 Forte and cod liver oil and Co-codamol for pain relief.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Noreen - Interview 25 >> Noreen’s physiotherapist gave her gentle massage and gentle exercises to do because her back was very fragile.

Diagnosed in 2006 following a compressed T11 fracture in the spine; experienced severe pain. Surgical procedure; Kyphoplasty. Oral medications provoked adverse side effects. Currently on intravenous drug; ibandronate 3 mg once every three months plus calcium tablets.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 50-59 >> Dennis - Interview 13 >> Dennis is very happy with the care he received from his GP.

Dennis was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2004. In 2007 his spine ‘collapsed’ and he had two operations. He has to wear a supportive back brace for the next nine months. Until recently he was on Pamidronate but his treatment for osteoporosis is under review. He takes Calcichew D3 Forte and cod liver oil and Co-codamol for pain relief.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> James - Interview 36 >> James’ mobility is severely affected but he can still drive short journeys.

James is on alendronic acid once weekly and calcium tablets two a day. He also takes Omeprazole and Domperidone for his acid reflux. For a dysfunctional bladder he takes amitriptyline at bedtime. He had vertebroplasty surgery done three times to repair collapsed vertebraes but the last time it was unsuccessful and is waiting to have it done again.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Robert - Interview 28 >> Robert had spinal surgery which left him disabled and in pain. No-one considered that he might have osteoporosis and he did not have a DXA scan.

Robert was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of forty-three. Robert had to wait seven months before been referred to a bone metabolic specialist who sent him without delay to have a bone density scan. Now his osteoporosis is under control but he continues experiencing severe pain due to the damage caused by the condition.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Chris - Interview 23 >> Chris’s ankle injury and operation has stopped her from working for a short while.

Diagnosed in 1999. She is taking Actonel and Calcichew D3 Forte. Initially she was taking Actonel 5 mg once daily but found it impractical, especially during working days. She now takes 35 mg once weekly. She still experiences back pain but not as severe as before diagnosis.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> James - Interview 36 >> It took a long time for James’s collapsed vertebrae to be diagnosed because his GP referred him for a non urgent MRI scan.

James is on alendronic acid once weekly and calcium tablets two a day. He also takes Omeprazole and Domperidone for his acid reflux. For a dysfunctional bladder he takes amitriptyline at bedtime. He had vertebroplasty surgery done three times to repair collapsed vertebraes but the last time it was unsuccessful and is waiting to have it done again.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Noreen - Interview 25 >> Noreen’s kyphoplasty took place later than the recommended time after a fracture so her operation was more complicated and took longer.

Diagnosed in 2006 following a compressed T11 fracture in the spine; experienced severe pain. Surgical procedure; Kyphoplasty. Oral medications provoked adverse side effects. Currently on intravenous drug; ibandronate 3 mg once every three months plus calcium tablets.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> James - Interview 36 >> James has had two vertebroplasty to repair collapsed vertebras.

James is on alendronic acid once weekly and calcium tablets two a day. He also takes Omeprazole and Domperidone for his acid reflux. For a dysfunctional bladder he takes amitriptyline at bedtime. He had vertebroplasty surgery done three times to repair collapsed vertebraes but the last time it was unsuccessful and is waiting to have it done again.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 70+ >> Noreen - Interview 25 >> Noreen recommends kyphoplasty to others because although she is not pain free, her spine is more stable.

Diagnosed in 2006 following a compressed T11 fracture in the spine; experienced severe pain. Surgical procedure; Kyphoplasty. Oral medications provoked adverse side effects. Currently on intravenous drug; ibandronate 3 mg once every three months plus calcium tablets.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 60-69 >> Joan - Interview 10 >> The surgeon has told Joan that if she fractures her right arm again, he would not be able to reset it and she would end up with restricted movement.

Since her forties Joan has had several wrist fractures that were not investigated for osteoporosis. It was only when she fell and fractured both her arms that the diagnosis came about. She was put on medication; alendronic acid but due to side effects it was changed to Strontium ranelate.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Sydney - Interview 16 >> Sydney was most impressed with the improvement his local hospital had undergone since the last time he was an inpatient there.

Sidney thinks that he has been on alendronic acid (70 mg tablets once a week) for about ten years. Three years ago he fractured his femur but hasn’t had any other fractures. Feels lucky because he manages well on his own and experiences little pain or discomfort.

• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Age of diagnosis 40-49 >> Sydney - Interview 16 >> Sydney who lives alone felt he was discharged too soon after his surgery.

Sidney thinks that he has been on alendronic acid (70 mg tablets once a week) for about ten years. Three years ago he fractured his femur but hasn’t had any other fractures. Feels lucky because he manages well on his own and experiences little pain or discomfort.

• Condition
• Bones & joints >> Osteoporosis >> Osteoporosis

Publication date: April 2009          Last updated July 2011

Review date: July 2013

 

Osteoporosis means 'porous bone'. With this disease bones lose density and become more fragile with a greater risk of fracturing. The loss of bone occurs 'silently' and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs. We interviewed 40 people with osteoporosis about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below or choose from the 'Full list of topics' to explore all the topics covered.