GEORGE NEWS - Annamare van der Merwe (67) was always an independent and hardworking woman, raising three children mostly on her own after her husband's death 37 years ago.

Today, however, osteoporosis has taken away much of her independence and left her bedridden for the past three years.

She has had problems with her knees since 2008, when she underwent surgery on her left knee. Two years later, she had a right knee replacement. Despite this, she was not treated for osteoporosis, and the deterioration continued, increasingly affecting her mobility.

She has been using a cane since 2023 and eventually realised she could no longer safely live alone. She alternates between staying with her three children while awaiting a place at an old age home in Mossel Bay.

In February last year, she saw an orthopaedic specialist at George Hospital. X-rays showed severe damage, and she was diagnosed with stage 4 osteoarthritis in her left hip and knee. She was told that joint replacement surgery was the only real solution. She was placed on the hospital waiting list, but the wait could be years.

Currently, Van der Merwe spends most of her time in bed. She says even short distances are extremely painful to move.

"Getting out of bed and getting back into bed can feel like a complete gym session," she says.

She manages the pain with prescribed medication, but says it has become a constant part of her life. She also finds it difficult to manage her medical expenses on a Sassa pension.

"Because of my age, I'm not being prioritised for the replacement surgery through a state hospital," she says.

Van der Merwe says she used to work for two prominent South African media houses, first in Randburg and then in Cape Town, for more than 30 years combined, travelling by train to work and walking a lot because she did not own a car. Later, she supported herself through freelance graphic design.

"I loved cooking, photography and listening to live music. I almost always had my camera with me," she says.

But Van der Merwe has not given up hope. She wants to cook again, take photographs, listen to live music, walk along the beach and, most of all, spend time with her grandchildren. "I simply want enough mobility and freedom to live with dignity, to be useful again and to enjoy the people I love."

Her son, Chris, has started a BackaBuddy campaign, 'Help our selfless single mom walk again', to raise funds for private hip and knee replacement surgery and rehabilitation, which will enable her to access treatment sooner.

Annamare used to be active and independent. Photo: Supplied 

The osteoporosis treatment gap

Van der Merwe's story is not unique. 

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa (Nofsa) and International Osteoporosis Foundation (Iof), around 65-85% of men and women who suffer fractures do not receive treatment after their first fracture. They call this the 'osteoporosis treatment gap'. Early treatment after a first fracture can help prevent future fractures.

Nofsa says osteoporosis is known as "the silent crippler". There are often no symptoms until a bone breaks, making a first fracture a critical warning sign. The condition affects one in three women and one in five men in South Africa.

A healthy bone compared with bone affected by osteoporosis. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Supporting bone health

According to Nofsa, to support good bone health, one should avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake, exercise regularly with weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activities and maintain a healthy body weight.

A balanced diet rich in calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals is also important. Dairy products, leafy vegetables, eggs, fish, meat, beans, lentils, tofu and nuts are good sources of nutrients needed for healthy bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and can be obtained through safe sunlight exposure, certain foods or supplements when necessary.

Consult a doctor or physiotherapist before starting an exercise programme or considering taking supplements.

She alternates between staying with her three children while awaiting a place at an old age home in Mossel Bay.

Scan for the BackaBuddy campaign.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’