This Weather Network anchor was 'shocked' to learn she had osteoporosis after fracturing her ankle: 'Why wasn't I warned?'

Yahoo

15 hours ago

Kim MacDonald, 56, says she didn't know that menopause can lead to bone density issues. Now she's warning other women to take their bone health seriously.
In March 2025, Kim MacDonald, 56, was outside of her home in Hamilton, Ont. when she stumbled over an uneven sidewalk and rolled her ankle. Since she didn't fall and could still walk, she treated it as a run-of-the-mill twisted ankle. Despite icing and elevating it, the ankle began to swell.
'I still thought at that point, OK, worst case scenario, I sprained my ankle,' MacDonald told Yahoo Canada. 'And best case scenario, I just twisted it, and the swelling will go down soon enough.'
The next day, the Weather Network anchor's foot was still quite swollen. She "hobbled" to the emergency room where an X-ray revealed that MacDonald's ankle wasn't sprained — it was broken.
'I was actually in shock," she said. "I thought, 'I didn't even do anything. How could this be broken?''
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Because she injured herself in such a simple way, MacDonald's healthcare providers suggested a bone density test. Three weeks later, her general practitioner called her with some news: she had osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to weaken and become porous.
'It was very upsetting,' she said. 'I thought that if I was to get osteoporosis, that would be something 20 years down the line. I didn't think I was going to get it at 56. I thought that's something you have when you're 76. So, I really didn't expect it. Why wasn't I warned?"
Although commonly associated with advanced age, people can develop the disease at any point in their lifetime. According to Osteoporosis Canada, men and women begin to lose bone mass in their mid-30s, however, older women are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Of the more than two million people living with diagnosed osteoporosis, 80 per cent are women, according to Osteoporosis Canada, and at least one in three women will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.
Although hormones changes that impact bone health occur during perimenopause, post-menopausal women experience a significant drop in estrogen, which helps preserve bone density. Approximately 20 per cent of bone loss occurs during this phase of life.
Back in 2017, MacDonald was diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation. after her second round of treatment, the then-48-year-old was put into medical menopause.
While MacDonald said she had an incredible health care team who saved her life, she was unaware of the impacts menopause would have on her bones.
"Nobody said anything until after I broke my ankle, years later," she said.
In June, MacDonald took to Instagram to share her osteoporosis diagnosis and help raise awareness for the realities of life after menopause.
"Knowledge is power,' MacDonald said. 'And this is one of those things that you can stop from happening.'
What is osteoporosis and why is it dangerous?
In an interview with Yahoo Canada, Dr. Lindsay Sheriff, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said osteoporosis causes bones to become so "thin and brittle" that minor falls or simply performing everyday activities can result in a fracture. Like MacDonald, many women won't know they have the disease until a fracture occurs.
Although commonly associated with advanced age, people can develop osteoporosis disease at any point in their lifetime. According to Osteoporosis Canada, men and women begin to lose bone mass in their mid-30s, however, older women are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
Of the more than two million people living with diagnosed osteoporosis, 80 per cent are women, according to Osteoporosis Canada, and at least one in three women will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.
While most fractures can be treated, hip fractures in part hip fractures are a major concern, especially as you age. More than 20 per cent of women and 30 per cent of men who suffer a hip fracture will die within a year due to post-surgical complications like infection, blood clots and internal bleeding.
What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
The steep decline in estrogen levels after menopause accelerate bone loss.
'This makes the perimenopausal and menopausal years a critical time for monitoring and protecting bone health,' Shirreff said.
According to Osteoporosis Canada, 80 per cent of patients with a history of fractures are not given osteoporosis therapies. That means hundreds of thousands of Canadians suffer fractures every year due to undiagnosed, untreated osteoporosis.
That's why it's important to be prepared and take precautionary measures. In Canada, routine bone density testing is recommended for all women and men aged 65 and older.
However, Shirreff said younger people may be recommended for screening if they have various risk factors, including:
Prolonged steroid use
A history of fragility fractures (fractures that occur after a low-impact event like a fall from standing height)
A family history of hip fractures
Menopause before the age of 45
Smokers
Have a high alcohol intake
'There are many circumstances where we would recommend earlier screening than the age of 65,' she said. 'It's important for you to individualize that discussion with your healthcare provider.'
How to prevent and treat osteoporosis
According to Shirreff, there are steps women can take in their 30s and 40s to help prevent osteoporosis.
Opt for calcium and vitamin-D rich foods
While calcium supplements can help prevent bone loss, you should be reaching for foods high in calcium and vitamin D like milk, cheese, yogurt beans, eggs salmon and tofu.
Add weight-bearing and resistance-based exercises to your workout
Weight-bearing exercises don't have to be complicated. Shireff said activities like walking, jogging or hiking, as well as stair climbing, tennis or pickleball can all benefit bone health as well as low-impact aerobics.
Resistance training or strength training, like weight-lifting, squats, push-ups and lunges, is also important.
'Strength training is excellent for bone health, especially for the spine and the hip,' she said. Some women wear weighted vests while walking to strengthen muscles and improve endurance and cardio fitness.
Formulate a plan with your doctor
Women should also avoid smoking and consider limiting alcohol intake to help slow down bone loss. Shirreff said it's also a good idea to ask healthcare providers about a bone density tests, especially if you went into menopause at an early age. Together, you and your health provider can discuss whether hormone therapies, supplements or other medications would be beneficial.
The good news is it's never too early to start incorporating these lifestyle and dietary habits.
'Estrogen levels go down the closer you get to menopause, so establishing healthy lifestyle and dietary habits early on — but especially during the perimenopausal time — can optimize bone health as you age,' Shirreff said.