Son has "chronic multiple compression fractures" -- can this be symptom of NF2?

[kippy6]

I had right-sided AN surgery in 2006. A year later, radiologist found a spot on my MRI that looked like a left-sided facial neuroma. Dr. Brackmann said it is just a tiny spot, and not to worry. However, my 14-year old son has been having intermittent back pain for a couple of years. He went all summer w/o pain, but when he lifts his little sister, it would hurt again. This year, he has started lifting weights for football, and even now he has a PE class where all they do is lift weights. He's been complaining of his back hurting after lifting weights, but his back would get better in a few days. We just thought he had a weak back...

However, yesterday his back was terrible...the worst it has ever been...while playing basketball, his back started hurting so badly that he had trouble running and had to be taken out of the game. Yesterday he said his back only hurts when he moves. I took him to immediate care last night, and the radiologist said he has "chronic" multiple compression fractures.     Please tell me what this could be. He is tall and thin. I'm thinking osteoporosis, cancer, or NF2. I think we eat well here, so I don't think his diet has been suffering. Today he says his back is hurting all the time. The prescription pain medication they gave him is not helping at all. 

[lacey7]

I'm not a doctor.....but I don't think that chronic multiple compression fractures would be a sign of NF2.
If he's in that much pain, you need to find a specialist to see what can be done to help him with healing, and with pain.
We all start thinking the worst....especially when it's our kids.....like cancer, etc.....but again, the specialists can ease your mind.
It sounds maybe like sports and weight lifting might have hurt his back.
It's hard to keep kids down.....but he might have to rest, for awhile, to let them heal.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Lacey

[suboo73]

Hi Kippy6.
My nephew (19 years old) had a recent injury (moving some conference equipment) and had multiple compression fractures.  He was taken to the hospital and they put him a 'clam shell' brace.  He saw an orthopedic at the hospital and they told him no bending or lifting for probably 3 months. -- I am no doctor either, but i know that my nephew had to do follow up with an orthopedic doctor.  If this were my son, i would take him to an orthopedic doctor for further evaluation and recommendations.

I have seen my daughter thru one broken leg -spiral fracture at 6 years old, then thru 2 broken legs (car accident), and was one of many in my family to help my younger sister thru three (!) hip replacement surgeries - it is her son that is hurt and she knows how important it is to see the specialist.

I hope your son can find relief soon.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your son and your family.

Sue

[Cheryl R]

Hello,    I have NF2 and I am doubting  NF2 in your son also.     I have never heard of other NF2ers have compression fractures and it would be more nerve pain.      The tumor would be putting pressure on the nerve.      He would have had  ANs too as also have never heard of just the spinal tumors.                 I  also am doubting cancer.                 Wonder if could be some kind of congenital bone problem.    Does he have any sign of scoliosis?        There are some other bone conditions which I would need to look up.                He does need to be examined by a specialist.             Compression fractures are very painful and can take quite a bit of time to get better.            We would have elderly patients with them alot and how well they did really varied.
   Such a worry for you and hope you get the answer soon.
                                                Cheryl R

[kippy6]

He doesn't have any signs of scoliosis...actually, the x-ray showed his back to be much straighter than normal. He's been having a weird twitching of his eyes for a couple of years, almost like a tick, but the eye doctors say it is a convergence issue. He had a brain CT or MRI about 3 years ago when the eye doctor first noticed it. He also gets bloody noses, but I think it is seasonal...related to sinus troubles and dry air in the winter. Recently, he started having reflux issues. He had surgery for an inguenal hernial when he was 2.

His sister, who is only 16 months older than him, was born with congenital issues with some of her vertebrae. She had a few hemi-vertebrae, which caused congenital scoliosis. She had spinal fusion 12/2005. She was out of school for 6 weeks. And I had my AN surgery approx 6 months later.