Anyone familiar with Bone Growth Stimulators

[Nite Owl]

My ankle is broken in three places one of which isn't healing (fibula). The doctor ordered an Orthoflex bone stimulator to see if it would help. Been using it for about a month and the ankle seems much better but I guess the x-rays will tell if it really is helping. I have osteoporosis so surgery wasn't an option.
Anyone ever use this device or know someone who has?

[littlemissmartypants]

1. Are you taking anything for your osteoporosis?

If so what?

[Nite Owl]

4. Yes,

Provila. Just had one shot in April, due for another in October. No side effects so far.my GP is giving it to me, the rheumie told me to just take Tums for the calcium. He's been fired.

[chrisstopher]

2. Sorry I can't help but I just wanted to say "Good luck" and I hope you get better soon.

[Nite Owl]

5. Thanks

[femmocrat]

3. Yes, I used one.

I had a broken femur. It did seem to speed up the healing process. The only thing was that it took 10 WEEKS to get it approved by insurance and delivered to me. By then, I was much further along in the healing process, of course.

Right, you won't really know until they compare the x-rays.

That ankle break sounds so painful, though. Hope it helps you and you will fully recover.

[Nite Owl]

6. Medicare paid for

Most of it and they forgave the rest. My other insurance said no. Couldn't believe the price of it---almost 5k.
It was painful the first week but now it's fine.
I've heard that breaking the femur is one of the worst.

[femmocrat]

7. Glad to hear that.

I still have it here, too. LOL I saw some for sale on Ebay!

I heard they were good for arthritis... I'm tempted to try it on my knee!

Yes, having a broken femur is true hell. How on earth did you break an ankle in 3 places?

[Nite Owl]

10. Well the first two were in the tibia

one going across and the other vertical. Seemed to be healing well so after 6 weeks or so he told me I could walk with a boot on and within a few days the fibula broke. Didn't fall or hit it so it must be from the osteoporosis. Back in the cast and been there since.
When I went to my rheumy I told him the ankle really hurt and could he x-ray it. He was sure it was a tendon tear and gave me a cortisone shot. Then he went to Easter Island for a month so when the cortisone was definitely not working I went to emergent care and they x-rayed immediately, put me in a splint and then to the ortho doc. This started in February. I'm non weight bearing and now that's taking its toll on the other leg.

Thankfully my friends and neighbors visit and call. People are caring--holding doors and getting things off shelves etc. My son shops and has learned to cook rather well. I may be stuck in this wheelchair but it won't be forever. I think of the soldiers who lost legs in useless wars and am thankful for having so much.

[Capt.Rocky300]

8. My wife had oral cancer 3 years ago and following........

surgery, radiation and chemo was fine for more than 2 years. Then she began having problems as a result of the radiation. Her jawbone became like a crouton and pieces began to fall off exposing molar roots. Her doc prescribed hyperbaric chamber treatment which seemed to help with tissue growth but not the bone. Now she is utilizing low level laser therapy which seems to be stimulating some bone growth in the area where the bone came off. The thing is, LLLT is not a recognized treatment here in the USA. However, many other nations, Japan, France, Sweden for example, use it routinely. It is not covered by insurance but we pay $25 a week for 7 treatments per week and it takes only a few minutes each time. The only place we could find that had the equipment was our local physical therapy clinic. Best of luck to you.

[tridim]

9. Other than Vitamin D3, Calcium, Vitamin K-2 and Magnesium, no.

Good luck Nite Owl.