Question
My mother reached in a cupboard for something and suddenly had severe pain in her back. Come to find out a bone just disintegrated. Does this sound right? I think she said it is osteoporosis. She was told there was nothing they could do and she would have to live with the pain. She used to be so healthy and active and now she is reduced to sitting and doing almost nothing (cooking, showering, washing her hair and laundry) because the pain is so excruciating. She lives in Florida and I don抰 know if there is actually any good health care down there. She is 81. Is there really nothing that can be done? Will she have to live out her remaining years in such pain?

Answer
Hi Jane and thanks for writing,

Bones can disintegrate due to Osteoporosis and it happens with vertebrae quite frequently with elderly women. This may be a compression fracture and can be very painful and difficult to treat, but I would try to ensure she has been properly assessed and the doctors have tried everything they can for her comfort.

The good news is that the pan from compression fractures will resolve with anti-inflammatoriews and rest, but she抣l have to be cautious the rest of her life so it doesn抰 happen repeatedly.

I hope this helps,
Margot