osteoporosis ankle - Osteoporosis Message Board

hootyhoo · 11-26-2007, 12:21 PM

i had my ankle fused three months ago, and doc discovered my ankle was totally porous, and had to put extra screws, which should be removed soon. i had a bone density test today and the gal reading it said that it was just a few 'click's off from my last one. (i'm 56yo), and that would probably be the case for a person who was in bed for 2 months after the surgery. she said i'd probably be fine after i got back to normal exercise, etc.

big problem tho, with no answers or direction from docs or anyone. if my ankle was like sponge when the surgeon put in the screws, why isn't it showing like that on my other bones...they seem to be relatively fine. a touch of osteopenia in my hip, which has remained constant since i turned 50 and it was diagnosed...spine ok each time!!

how is a specific bone built up, if the others don't seem to need it...and other than the surgery,,,how would a person know if he had a particular area that was very partial to osteoporosis???would injections like forteo into my ankle work a specific porous bone? no one seems to have an answer..and i have no idea what to do? i do not want to stop being active, or frightened that i may break bones.

sorry if this is confusing...but it is to me as well....thanks..

taape · 11-26-2007, 10:09 PM

hootyhoo,
i've wondered the same thing myself. My spine is alot worse than my hips or ankle. I think the research done on Forteo measured BMD of the spine and hip not the ankle. Was osteoporosis the reason that you had your ankle fused?

hootyhoo · 11-27-2007, 01:10 PM

no, actually, taape, i broke my ankle when i was about 20yo..had a long leg cast on for 9 months..about 10-12yo, it began to hurt and i went to orthopedic doc who said i had degenerative arthritis,,and eventually would need it fused, as it would be bone on bone...which HURTS!!

so..i wore a boot for 3 years and it still was quite painful..so i had my ankle fused,,,and that's when we found out my talus was so porous. now..the bone density test results do not reflect how bad my ankle is porous...like a sponge the doc said.

i have no idea what to do!!!

taape · 11-27-2007, 07:28 PM

Yes, I'm sure bone on bone contact does hurt alot. Does the doctor think your ankle is fusing even with you having osteoporosis? I hope so. Did you already have a DEXA scan to see if you have it in your spine and hips where it's usually tested for? I suppose the treatment may be different if you only have it in your ankles.

hootyhoo · 11-27-2007, 09:08 PM

I'm 56, and prior to yesterday's dexa I'd had two...the last one was fine...and this one, like I said was just a 'couple of clicks' off,,(her words,,,not the docs)

and when my ankle was fused, that's when he discovered the porous talus..so he put two extra screws in...one into the heel. anyway,,,after my two month's of casting and staying in bed..(i was faithful), he said it had healed better than he thought it would,,and he put me in this aircast walking boot..full weight bearing. I see him on Thursday for another x ray and to determine when to remove the extra screws. (hopefully soon, as they are coming out of my bone!!)

i honestly have no idea who to go to, as they didn't test my ankle,,just spine and hip like you. any suggestions? no osteoporsis docs in my little corner of the world, that i know of! peg