What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass that results in a reduction in the strength of the skeleton.
 Normal Bone |
 Osteoporotic Bone |
The Scope of the Problem
- Osteoporosis affects as many as 44 million Americans
- 80% of those affected are women
- One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her/his remaining lifetime
- While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person’s disease, it can strike at any age
Consequences of Osteoporosis
- Increased risk of fracture of the hip, spine, and wrist
- Morbidity and mortality from fracture
– Over 300,000 hip fractures/year
– A 50-year-old white woman has a 15% lifetime probability of suffering a hip fracture - Healthcare costs
– 2002: $18 billion
Fractures of the Hip and Spine
Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis
|
|
Osteoporosis |
Osteoarthritis |
|
What is affected? |
Bones, which become more fragile and more likely to break |
Joints, especially weight-bearing joints (knees, feet, hips, and back) |
|
Whom does it affect? |
4 of 5 people suffering from osteoporosis are women occurs most commonly after the age of 45 |
Men and women equally; usually occurs after age 45 |
|
Why does it happen? |
Loss of bone mass, related to certain risk factors |
Join structure weaken and wear down |
Who is at Risk? Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
- Age
- Gender
- Race
- Bone structure and body weight
- Menopause and menstrual history
- Lifestyle
- Medications and disease
- Family history
Osteoporosis and Menopause
Bone loss due to decline in estrogen is the leading cause of osteoporosis in women.
Diagnosing Osteoporosis
If osteoporosis is painless, how do I know if my bones are healthy?
Visit our friendly Island Orthopaedic Consultants doctors for a Bone Scan! Call 6737 5683 to make an appointment today!
Keeping Bones Strong -The Keys to Prevention
- The importance of calcium and vitamin D as part of a healthy diet
- The value of weight-bearing exercise
- Making lifestyle changes
- Medications that prevent bone loss
The Importance of Calcium
Optimal Daily Calcium Intake*
|
Age Group (in years) |
Calcium (in milligrams) |
|
1 – 5 |
800 |
|
Men |
1000 |
|
Women |
1000 |
If you have suffered from a fall and have injured yourself, please seek professional help. Call our clinic at 67375683. We are committed to care for you, your family and friends.
