Bone Density in Broken Leg Addie had a broken leg in June 2009. Everything has been fine since September 2009, but now she seems to be favoring the leg and her attitude was a bit down this morning. This was a problem when the soft cast first came off, and the vet put her on pain meds and said to walk her to increase bone density. I'm wondering how I can make sure to increase her bone density in the leg. I'm worried that the walks we go on aren't long enough to help. How long should I be walking her on a daily basis (it's hard to get her to go outside when it's so cold even with her coat on)? I figured if walking is the only way to increase bone strength, I'll just leash her up and walk around the house if necessary, but I would like to know if there's something else I could be doing for her as well. |
Has this vet xrayed her to see if this leg has healed properly? I have not heard of walking to increase bone density. Maybe he meant to exercise the muscle? They usually do lose some muscle mass and need exercise to get that back. |
There have been x-rays. The bone seems to be smaller than the original x-ray, but the surgeon said this can happen and to exercise Addie to build up bone strength (kind of like strength training builds up our bones as well as our muscles). I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem since she's been fine from Sept. 2009 until now, and can give any advice on other kinds of treatment. Maybe the cold weather is affecting her? I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can for her and I don't want her to be in any discomfort. I don't think there's any pain as she's not acting like she's in pain like she did before. I do appreciate any help and/or advice! |
I broke my leg a few years ago in a car accident and I know I had to walk on it (I had a plate in it and wore a boot) way before it healed to stimulate bone healing. Maybe it's the same idea? Was it an orthopedic vet who did the surgery? If it was just your regular vet, I'd probably get a second opinion for a board certified orthopedic vet. |
I think it is the same kind of idea that happened with your leg. The second set of x-rays were taken at the regular vet, who in turn told me I needed to go back to the ortho surgeon (which I did). The surgeon is the one who said that exercise would be the way to increase the bone strength in the leg. She has three steel pins in the leg as she broke four of the five toe bones. Everything seemed fine until recently. I'm going to exercise her, of course, but was hoping that there was more I could do. The surgeon said calcium supplements wouldn't work as they aren't absorbed the same way people absorb them. He also said that there isn't anything wrong post surgery, the pins seem to be in place, and if there was a problem with the pins, the pain meds would not help her at all. Since they did help her, it can't be the pins. Another vet at her regular clinic said that she probably has some arthritis, but the surgeon said that's not true. I don't know who to believe, especially since she was fine and now she was acting like it's bothering her again. I just spoke to my DH, who is home today and he said that she's acting fine, not favoring the leg and her attitude is normal. But she was favoring it before. She let him touch the area where it had been broken, but she didn't want me to touch it this morning, which is why I started this post. |
Perhaps she is a bit like we are when we have injuries like that and the cold bothers it sometimes more than others???? |
Thanks all I guess it could be the cold. Sorry, I do tend to freak out when she's not acting like her usually bouncy, saucy self. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to help her. Even though it's been awhile since the broken leg, I feel horrible about it. I was holding her and she pushed off me and got out of my arms. She landed wrong and broke her leg, so I feel responsible for it, and when she seems to favor the leg, the guilt just washes over me all over again. I spoke to my DH again today and he said she's still acting normal. Maybe she landed wrong jumping off the couch or something, if it's not the cold causing it. She and Mia were running around like crazy last night. Maybe that made it sore. Thanks for all your help. I'll see what she's like when I get home tonight. |
Do you have her on a good joint supplement like Cosequin? I was told after my accident that arthritic changes were common after fractures and surgery. I swear by Cosequin for my old Lady and Osteo Biflex for me! |
I have a foster who had a fracture for six months before he came to me. He ended up needing a bone graft, pin and a plate with screws. His muscle was noticably smaller in that leg after all of that. His surgery was four months ago. His muscle in that leg is now built back up; but on occasion he still favors that leg....so perhaps it is just a time thing. One of the exercises we used was an egg crate in a hallway....letting him walk on that helped him build up his muscle. Maybe that might help? They had suggested an air mattress or an egg crate. |
Both are great ideas. I think I'll ask the vet about something for her joints. The egg crate idea I can start right away-Addie and Mia's bedding has egg crates inside the fabric. Thank you for the great suggestions. She's doing better today, I haven't seen her favoring it and the weather is nicer today, not so cold. Makes me think it was weather related. I had her chase me around the house last night and she ran along just fine. |
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