T12 fracture - 90 years old

[Purpleseaside]

My poor Grandma was meant to be celebrating her 90th birthday with us today at her secret party. Unfortunately 4 days ago she was admitted to the hospital in severe pain with a T12 fracture. She has been living at home with my parents with carers visiting 3 times a day and so far no major health issues, mainly poor mobility etc.

She's on morphine and oxygen and I'm so upset. My parents have been visiting daily and said her pain is being managed, but I hate that she is going through this. Does anyone have any experience/knowledge in recovery time/process for an elderly person with a severe fracture? I just want her home. She has finally started to eat today as she's been in too much pain to do so thus far.

I keep getting waves of tears worrying she won't come out of the hospital..she is a tough cookie mentally and had some giggles today as she was read out her birthday cards.

How did she do it. I have had two compression fractures but am obviously much younger one to L1 and one to T12 - both severe. In my experience the pain is severe for about 7 to 10 days and then dulls.

It is very painful but I don't think morphine is usually required. I think the important thing is pain management and to try to keep her moving.

Who is advocating for her? Finding out what the oxygen is for, what sort of break she has sustained, ensuring she is getting optimum treatment and care, and is being moved sufficiently regularly to prevent bed sores.

I hope she is on the mend soon.

Does she have osteoporosis? Honestly you can just move wrong and get a fracture at that age with thinning bones.

Positive sign is she's eating and her pain is under control, she will probably be in longer then a younger person because they will probably want to start her on something like alendronic acid to prevent further fractures, maybe DEXA to see if she has osteoporosis.

If it was down to a fall, then they will be looking into how she's managing at home etc.

Don't worry she's in the best place and I'm sure she will be making a speedy recovery. I hope you're ok :)