Skiing with osteopenia/osteoporosis

Mrs D has just been diagnosed with osteopenia, which is reduced bone density which is borderline osteoporosis.

Has anyone on here suffered from this issue and are there any issues to be concerned about going skiing especially getting travel insurance?

There is an Insurance Broker called PJ Hayman who have been around a while. They offer a specialist travel insurance called Free Spirit to cover pre existing medical conditions. It might be worth you talking to them.

http://www.free-spirit.com/

I'm not connected to them, but I have seen this policy discussed on other ski forums.

Thanks for the info re insurance.

Mrs D has sadly now been advised by her consultant not to continue skiing (as well as using the gym or running). Her spine is the most worrying area, being -2.3 against the onset of osteoporosis at -2.5. Its difficult to know whether he is saying this just to cover his back. Mrs D has never broken anything, even though she has fallen over many times whilst learning to ski and use the lifts. Mrs D is devastated by this news as after 2 seasons she is now very proficient and had a family holiday booked in 2 weeks time with sons and daughter-in-laws to Schladming. However, she feels she must respect his opinion and not ski again.

I would be interest to hear from anyone in this situation who has continued to ski, and if so what precautions you have taken?

Any comments much appreciated - but I won't be able to view them until Thursday lunchtime.

I can understand the advice not to continue road running but not going to the gym goes against the normal advice.

Weight bearing exercise is normally recommended for osteoporosis.

Osteopaenia is not an illness merely a description of bone density which is lower than the age related norms but not low enough to be osteoporosis which is considered an illness.

Thats very sad news for Mrs D however, I agree with Andy that the condition is a benchmark for a lower bone density and not as serious as osteoporosis. Has your Wife considered a second opinion from a consultant orthopod who specialises in sports injuries etc. Mrs D may be able to reduce risks, if her back/spine is causing the most concern, by wearing a form of back support/protection. I have seen these made in Occupational Health Departments and something such as this may assist.

Good luck and I hope Mrs D gets the opportunity to ski again.

I am very sorry to hear of Mrs D's illness. She must very very disappointed especially having had a holiday booked. I hope things work out and maybe she could be helped with calcium tablets which would help her bone density. Ria x

Hi Dixie Dean,
I'm very sorry to hear your news. How awful :cry:

I only hope you can find a private consultant who specializes in this area and says it's okay to ski, in time for the holiday. If your wife's current consultant is advising her not to ski then I would imagine it would be very difficult to get insurance for this.

Ally

The key thing is why the orthopaedic consultant doesn't want your wife to ski. If there is a very specific reason then Ok, but if it's merely because there is a statistically increased risk of a fracture then that's not an entirely convincing reason.
I'd suggest you go & see your GP - they deal with more osteopaenia than the hospital sector specialists and will also (if needs be) be able to steer you in the direction of a specialist who will give you a balanced opinion.

(Many, but not all, orthopaedic surgeons, view skiing as a dangerous sport and the cause of a lot of work. Particularly those who don't ski)