Hello,
My mom (66yo, 165lb) had a knee replacement in May 2024. We started doing resistance training pre surgery and we have continued post. We are training squats (mostly belt squats, working on getting back under the bar), bench press, and deadlift. After a year of training her deadlift 1RM is 145lb and her bench press 1RM is 90lb. She trains 3-4 days/week.
Her DEXA scan last month showed a T-score of -2.1 in the left femur neck region (she had a hip replacement on the right in 2017). After the scan her doctor told her to avoid heavy lifting and rotational movement so she doesn’t “break her spine,” and to start Fosomax. Her doctor also told her to get a weighted vest and go for walks. I told her to get a second opinion.
She is lifting really well and continues to get stronger. She feels no discomfort during or after training. She wants to keep lifting and doesn’t want to take Fosomax. Any advice on whether or not she can continue strength training? Opinion on Fosomax?
Thank you,
Clementine
2 Likes
Hi Clementine,
Excellent job with your mom so far!
We can’t give direct, individualized advice to patients via the forum here, but I would say that her doctor’s advice to “avoid heavy lifting … so she doesn’t break her spine” is poor advice, and not based on good evidence. We actually have direct trials on women in this demographic with osteoporosis doing heavy strength training using barbells and doing well; this is what I tend to base much of my advice on when working with patients who are willing/interested in training.
Now, nothing is “risk-free”, but we must also compare against the clear risks of not training. Additionally, limiting herself to walking with a weighted vest would be insufficient to deliver the same benefits she is already experiencing based on your guidance.
The question on Fosamax is one where it’s a bit more difficult to comment without more knowledge of her remaining medical history, blood tests, and other considerations that would be best addressed via a consultation.
2 Likes
Thank you so much! Hope you’re having a great holiday season.