Broken Foot/bone Density Test

[princesskill]

hey all,

im 26 and i fell down the stairs yesterday and fractured my metatarsal bone pretty severly. i have to have surgery tomorrow. i've never had a broken bone in my entire life but now im freaked out about osteoperosis etc related to celiac. my orthopedic surgeon said to get a bone density test. wht does a bone density test entail exactly?

im pretty bummed about it. 4 weeks couch bound in the best part of summer does not sound fun.

[mushroom]

hey all,

im 26 and i fell down the stairs yesterday and fractured my metatarsal bone pretty severly. i have to have surgery tomorrow. i've never had a broken bone in my entire life but now im freaked out about osteoperosis etc related to celiac. my orthopedic surgeon said to get a bone density test. what does a bone density test entail exactly?

Im pretty bummed about it. 4 weeks couch bound in the best part of summer does not sound fun.

So sorry to hear about your fracture and surgery.

The standard bone density test (DEXA) scan measures the density of the bone in the lumbar spine, and in both hips. Because I had a fracture at T11 (my thoracic spine), they did a scan of my whole spine. The lumber area and the hips are considered to be representataive of the density of the skeleton, and are the most frequent places of fracture, especially the hips. Other likely fracture areas are the wrists. As it turned out my compression fracture was not due to osteoporosis although my docs were sure it was. It depends on the severity and type of impact whether a bone fractures, and you may not have osteoporosis. I am hoping you don't. There are worse things than an enforced four-week vacation on the couch. Think of the books you can read, you can take on on-line course, write a novel.... Be creative.

[ravenwoodglass]

The bone density test is simply a special type of xray. There is no prep and they don't inject anything. It is not painful. If they do find that you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (which is a step below osteoporosis ) make sure you doctor checks your levels of vitamin D. If they find that you do have one or the other there are things you can do to rebuild your bones other than the meds, which can have serious side effects. D3, calcium, magnesium and weight bearing excercise will all help.

[ranger]

So sorry to hear about your fracture and surgery.

The standard bone density test (DEXA) scan measures the density of the bone in the lumbar spine, and in both hips. Because I had a fracture at T11 (my thoracic spine), they did a scan of my whole spine. The lumber area and the hips are considered to be representataive of the density of the skeleton, and are the most frequent places of fracture, especially the hips. Other likely fracture areas are the wrists. As it turned out my compression fracture was not due to osteoporosis although my docs were sure it was. It depends on the severity and type of impact whether a bone fractures, and you may not have osteoporosis. I am hoping you don't. There are worse things than an enforced four-week vacation on the couch. Think of the books you can read, you can take on on-line course, write a novel.... Be creative.

Sorry to hear your unfortunate accident. My MIL and DD both broke thier wrists lately. DH outcome good, MIL not so good. Hope you turn out like my DH.

My question for Jestger..... If I sit on the couch for 4 weeks, can I write a novel? lol

[mushroom]

My question for Jestger..... If I sit on the couch for 4 weeks, can I write a novel? lol

Actually, it was my suggestion, and I don't know--can you write???

[ranger]

hey all,

im 26 and i fell down the stairs yesterday and fractured my metatarsal bone pretty severly. i have to have surgery tomorrow. i've never had a broken bone in my entire life but now im freaked out about osteoperosis etc related to celiac. my orthopedic surgeon said to get a bone density test. wht does a bone density test entail exactly?

im pretty bummed about it. 4 weeks couch bound in the best part of summer does not sound fun.

Boy, do I feel stupid! I told you this to help you alleviate the stress of fearing osteoporosis, but I forgot to mention the important part. Which is that neither of them had osteo - they just fell wrong, or rather landed wrong. But, you should have a bone density test as should every celiac. Hope you recover soon.

[ranger]

Actually, it was my suggestion, and I don't know--can you write???

Second time in one topic to say boy, do I feel stupid! I knew that was you, Mushroom. I don't know why I wrote Jesgar - and then I spelled it wrong! I think that all answers the question " Can you write?" But, I'm trying to make it right, and I'll try to be more attentive. And, sorry Princesskill, I didn't mean to make light of a very serious and painflull situation for you. I'll be thinking about you tomorro.

[princesskill]

thanks for your responses everyone. i had surgery yesterday and feel fantastic. the broken bone was pressing on the nerves on the bottom of my foot so it was extreemly painful. thankfully i have a wonderful boyfriend who is taking good care of me. he even rented me a wheel chair and we were staying with my mom who is all on lone level with no stairs. not too many guys would willingly stay in their future mother in laws cxramped apartment for 4 weeks!

i was worried the bone density test would be painful so im glad it wont be.

[foodiegurl]

I just had a bone density scan 2 weeks ago...super easy. The easiest test you will ever have!

good luck!!

[ranger]

Great BF - don't let that one go! Glad to here everything went so well. Now, get busy on that novel!

[princesskill]

whoops i meant to post this under the original topic. from my spelling errors its pretty obvious that im on massive ammounts of pain killers at the moment.

[mushroom]

Massive amounts of painkillers could make for a great fantasy novel! Glad everything went well, and as Ranger says, that one's a keeper!

[ravenwoodglass]

Glad surgery went well and I hope you heal quickly.