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I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis - likely because of genetics. Both my mother and her mother had it. Even though my scan shows osteoporosis, I have had no height loss nor suffered broken bones and I would like it to stay that way. I do a lot of weight bearing exercises and my doctor encourages me to continue to do all the hiking, climbing, skiing, etc. that I have been doing, because she thinks that is why I am doing so well. I am 68 and post menopausal, but men can get osteoporosis as well.

My question is: a sit harness transfers fall energy to exactly those points that are at risk for debilitating fractures with osteoporosis. Should I avoid that sort of climbing or is there a harness that would be more appropriate for me?

Moni

I think it depends on how serious your Osteoporosis is.

My wife is 68, and has some of it as well. Every time we go on a long trip (we do a lot of extended trips, 1-2 months) her doctor marvels at how she improves. Carrying a pack works wonders for her.

She leads rock climbs, but only at her safe level. When we do something hard(der) and she falls, the impact is minimal, the dynamic nature of the rope takes care of the force on her mid section.

She has lived with this for a few years. We still do a lot of backcountry climbing, scrambling and extended backpacks and so far she has had no issues.

We do things similar to what you and Fred have done for years. Unless the issue is very serious, just keep going.

Maybe there is a Doc reading this and can comment more specifically.

Good luck and good climbing, Alois Smrz in Idylwild, CA.

Thanks Alois.
My osteoporosis scores are sufficiently low that I am on medication. It is heartening to hear that your wife is still climbing. That certainly is reassuring.

Moni

tair climbing is a decent weight-bearing activity for individuals with osteoporosis, particularly the individuals who can't run as a result of agony and firmness. Studies have discovered that stair-climbing machines are as compelling as running as an ideal type of weight-bearing activity, which assembles bone, and oxygen consuming molding. Indeed, 12 minutes on a stair-climber rises to a 20-minute run. Notwithstanding, on the off chance Tutuapp 9apps Showboxthat you have knee issues, joint inflammation, or joint issues in the hips, lower legs, or spine, stair climbing ought to be maintained a strategic distance from. This activity can put unneeded weight on knee wounds, causing joint injury, for example.

Hi Moni,

I haven't seen the type I'm thinking of available in a long time, I must admit, but you used to be able to get full body harnesses which were a detachable combination sit harness and chest harness. The ones I remember were able to be separated from the sit harness as required where only the sit harness was needed. I have even seen diagrams where only the chest harness was being used, a concept which worried me a lot due to what I suspect is a risk of asphyxiation by suspension but I digress.

Anyway, full body harnesses seem to still be readily available and might be helpful in your situation. Good luck.