What medical condition could make you shrink this much?

Spinal disk degeneration is a major issue.

Arthritis

Osteoporosis can shrink someone that much. My grandmother went from 5’ 6” to 4’ 11”.

Bone cancer.

@hearkat: “Osteoporosis”

A few years ago I was at a family gathering and walked over to see my great aunt, who was sitting at table and watched as I approached. I saw her appear to begin to stand up and I said, “Oh, don’t get up. [bent down to hug her] How are you?” That’s when I noticed that she was standing. I hadn’t seen her in about 6 months, and I swear she shrunk 8 inches.

Just like @hearkat‘s grandmother, my own Mom went from about 5’6” (quite tall for a woman born during the 1920s) to under 5’. Her health care professionals and I have been so focused on her Alzheimer’s problems and needs, the height loss has never been addressed. The change is startling. I had to buy Mom a whole new wardrobe of Extra Short Petite trousers with 25” inseams.

Thank you everyone for your posts. I had no idea such a thing could happen from osteoporosis.
I believe she had to take steroids for another malady and I have read it could be a cause of osteo.

Osteoporosis and DDD

Yep, Osteoporosis.
Great, I am already only 5’3 so this means I will end up at about 3’9. haha

Honestly the way I see it. We will all be stardust again in the long run. The best advice I can think of, is to reach out as a human being and tell her how you feel. All that matters is right now. (Sorry I answered in a way where I felt you were longing to know more about her state of physical being, but I think you have a longing other than physical knowledge)

@pleiades I have talked to my friend (my ex mother-in-law’s sister) several times about her. I have told her to tell her that I still care and am thinking about her. But I don’t want to be the nagging ex wife person.

Am I the only one that read the OP?

Answers other than Osteoporosis are being sought.

A very sudden loss of height, like 2” in a year, should be evaluated by a physician in my opinion. Osteoperosis and flattening of the tissues between the bones of the spine and other bones, like flattening of the bursa or collapse of discs, can cause people to lose height. There are several different medical things that fall into the category of degenerative spine issues. A sudden loss of height might need attention to strengthen bones to prevent injury or possibly address another medical issue. Does she have a lot of back pain?

@SecondHandStoke Actually any answers are sought. I just didn’t think that Osteo could do this much damage to height.

@JLeslie I have no idea. I haven’t spoken to her directly in over ten years

Well, 4 inches at age 70 does not seem alarming to me assuming it happened gradually.

Thx @anniereborn

@SecondHandStoke: I gave an answer that was not osteoporosis.

@SecondHandStoke: “Am I the only one that read the OP?

Answers other than Osteoporosis are being sought.”

Interesting that you interpreted the question in this way. I am reading the question repeatedly and I don’t see this at all.

@JLeslie Looks to me more like 6 inches

I guess so since you say she is now shorter than the aunt. I didn’t think that through. Are you sure they were in the same size heals? Unless you see the feet there easily can be an inch or more difference from the shoes.