Osteoporesis

Question 1

Define Osteoporosis

Answer 1

-Health condition that lead to weakens bones, making them fragile and likely to break
-The creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone, leading to holes in the honeycomb structure (density becomes lower).

Question 2

Who does Osteoporosis affect most?

Answer 2

Women post menopause

Question 3

What is Osteopenia?

Answer 3

-Stage before Osteoporosis (bone density is low for age but not low enough to be diagnosed as osteoporosis)
-Having Osteopenia increases your chances of developing Osteoporosis

Question 4

What are the risk factors for Osteopenia?

Answer 4

-Age
-Female
-Lower testosterone levels

Question 5

Describe the difference between Oseotpenia and Osteoporosis

Answer 5

-Osteopenia is a condition where the persons bone density is lower than what it should be for their age, WHEREAS Osteoporosis is a more severe case of bone loss that weakens bones making them more likely to fracture
-Osteoporosis happens when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases even further and changes structural tissue.

Question 6

How is Osteoporosis diagnosed?

Answer 6

Using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry producing a T-score

Question 7

What does the T score show?

Answer 7

-Bone density compared to bone density normal healthy young adult of same sex
-Lower the T score, lower the bone density

Question 8

What is the T score for normal bone density?

Answer 8

-1.0 or above

Question 9

What is the T score for having Osteoporosis?

Answer 9

-2.5 above

Question 10

What is a Fragility Fracture?

Answer 10

-Low level mechanical forces (example falling from standing height, causes injury to already weakened bone)
-Injuries are warning signs of fracture resulting from weakened bone because of osteoporosis

Question 11

Who does Fragility Fractures affect?

Answer 11

Older people and women

Question 12

What is an Insufficiency Fracture?

Answer 12

-Type of stress fracture that results from normal bone stress on abnormal bone
-Occur in bones involved in weight bearing (eg, bones in leg)
-Most common in spine

Question 13

What are the factors increasing risk of Osteoporosis and explain?

Answer 13

-Low calcium intake (lowers bone density)
-Frequent falls (history of broken bones)
-Family history and genetic factors (gene mutations plays role in bone formation so could impact bone density)
-Obesity (Overloading bones)
-Rheumatoid Arthritis (Medicine taken to treat this can decrease bone density)
-Hormone levels (more imbalances increases chance)
-Menopause (Low levels of oestrogen)
-Age (Older people more affected due to lack of hormones)
-Ethnicity (higher chance in white or Asian)
-Low vitamin D (helps body absorb calcium)
-Poor nutrition (low calcium = less bone density)
-Lack of exercise (weight bearing exercises increase bone density and strength)
-Alcohol
-Smoking

Question 14

How can us as physiotherapists help?

Answer 14

-Set plans for weight bearing exercises to increase fibroblasts produce more bone mass
-Treatment plans for extended posture
-Educate client, the exercises are done safely and properly
-In children their bone mass needs to be increased
-In adults and elderly their bone mass needs to be increased and conserved (balancing exercises etc)