Nearly Healed

Quick Update: I have seen Dr. Corenman again, taken blood tests to see if there is a "smoking gun" for the relatively low bone density in my spine, and seen a world-renowned bone specialist in Denver named Dr Miller.

First, Dr. Corenman took an x-ray and it showed the bone healing as planned. I will see him again one last time on February 20. That day will be my last in the brace (the picture here is me "cheating" by sitting down on a chair in my shower to get clean and shave!). I'll also begin physical therapy that day at the Howard Head clinic in Vail.

Second, the blood tests showed I am totally healthy and that there is NO evidence of risk factors that would contribute to low bone density.

Third, Dr. Miller said that low bone density doesn't neccessarily mean a higher risk factor for bone fractures unless you are above 50 and that age contributes far more to bone fractures than does low bone mass. He is still going to run some tests to see if there is something causing this, but he suspects it is simply genetics. He says that genetics determine 90 of your bone density; the other 10 percent from things like Celiac disease, heavy drinking, etc. So it looks like the relatively low bone density scores I have are simply what life handed me, and that it really isn't going to be of much concern until I get a lot older. At that time, there are some drugs that can treat it.

We're taking all of this as great news and I for one am excited for February 20th!