[blair77]

Are bones still prone to fractures in complete response?

by blair77 on Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:32 pm

If you are in complete response are you still more prone to fractures? My husband is in complete response and felt like he may have broken a rib when working under the car the other day.

[Wayne K]

Re: Are bones still prone to fractures in complete response?

by Wayne K on Sun Apr 13, 2014 6:58 pm

I broke my clavicle about 60 days after I started a slow relapse.

My point is that I doubt that the tumor grew that fast, if it was still there. The orthopedist wasn't sure if it was still there or a hollow left from one. I would think the answer is likely yes, but possibly not a new tumor.

[Multibilly]

Re: Are bones still prone to fractures in complete response?

by Multibilly on Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:02 pm

Hi Blair,

Even though it is likely that the CR has halted any ongoing bone destruction, you need to consider that one's bones could have been compromised before treatment and reaching CR.

I think if I suspected a broken rib, I would let my multiple myeloma specialist know and I would get it imaged (maybe consider an MRI?). I would make sure that the radiologist knew about my multiple myeloma condition and to be on the lookout for any mm-related issues.

Now having said that, there really isn't anything you can do for a broken rib except take pain relievers and take it easy.

Regarding what happens to your bones during CR, see this. Note the good news in the conclusion (there is the rare possibility that bones can improve and heal over time if you are in remission and being treated):

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21717791

[Dr. Jason Valent]

Re: Are bones still prone to fractures in complete response?

by Dr. Jason Valent on Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:10 am

Good question,

While a CR does decrease the risk of bone fracture, particularly if drugs like Aredia or Zometa are used to help bone strength, it does not reduce the risk of fracture to zero. If new bone pain occurs, imaging to evaluate for fracture should be done. Although there is often not much that can be done for a rib fracture other than pain medication.

[lys2012]

Re: Are bones still prone to fractures in complete response?

by lys2012 on Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:14 pm

I had an incident in the summer and I'm pretty sure I broke a rib. I was playing horseshoes and threw it with a lot of enthusiasm! Then I felt a pop and by that evening had intense pain. Turning over in bed was very difficult as was getting out of bed or taking a deep breath.

I went to the doctor and had some xrays which didn't show any fractures. My doctor told me rib xrays can easily miss picking up the fracture so it's not even really worth getting an xray in most cases (but when you have multiple myeloma you are the people who should get an xray so I went for one just in case!)

A few days of pain killers and then only time and it got better. My multiple myeloma is in CR status.