Osteoporosis Q & A

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone density reduces to the point where the risk of fractures greatly increases.

Osteoporosis is a serious health issue affecting millions of people, resulting in around 2 million fractures per year. About 1 in 2 women and a quarter of men over the age of 50 are likely to experience fractures caused by osteoporosis. These fractures may occur after a fall, but if the bone is badly affected, even carrying out everyday tasks can result in fracture. Many people do not notice any osteoporosis symptoms until a fracture occur.

What is osteopenia?

If you have bone loss not significant enough to be osteoporosis, it is considered osteopenia. It can progress into osteoporosis; however, with changes to your diet and exercise along with early treatment, you can minimize the bone loss process.

What causes osteoporosis?

While the exact osteoporosis causes are not fully understood, there are several factors that increase your risk of developing weak and easily broken bones such as:

Risk Factors that can’t be changed

Family History
Female gender
Older age
Height loss
Menopause
Thin/small body type

Risk Factors that can be changed

Calcium/Vitamin D deficiency
Lack of exercise
Eating too much protein, phosphorous, sodium, and/or caffeine
Lack of fruit and vegetable intake
Drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day
Smoking

Medical risk factors

Mobility issues

Parkinson’s
Stroke
Fatigue disorders
Muscle weakness
Paralysis

Steroid treatment

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Lupus
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Organ transplant
Sickle Cell disease

Food intake & malabsorption

Celiac disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
Poor diet
Weight loss surgery

Hormonal imbalances

Prostate/Breast Cancer treatment
Diabetes (Types 1 & 2)
Thyroid & Parathyroid imbalance
Eating disorders
Low male sex hormones
Missed or irregular menstrual cycles

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?

You may not experience signs of osteoporosis until a strain, bump, or fall causes a bone to break. A bone mineral density test called a DEXA scan can detect bone loss. This test takes about 15 minutes and can be scheduled for you at your bone health appointment. Lab tests can also be obtained to check appropriate levels of calcium and Vitamin D in your blood, which are important for bone health.

Osteoporosis Treatment Options

Osteoporosis Treatment options include supplements, bone-building medications, and medications that prevent further breakdown of bone. Taking calcium helps preserve bone quality, and Vitamin D, the best vitamin for osteoporosis, helps your body to absorb the calcium effectively. Medications that prevent further breakdown of bone include bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and RANKL inhibitors, and medications that help to build bone include sclerostin inhibitors and PTH analogs. These all aim to reduce your risk of fracture and manage osteoporosis symptoms. Ask your provider to determine which osteoporosis treatment plan is right for you.

What treatment is available if I fracture my vertebra?

When you sustain a fragility fracture or compression fracture of your vertebra, this causes severe pain. This type of fracture is usually associated with osteoporosis. The affected vertebra becomes wedge-shaped and causes a shortened height and the so-called “dowager’s hump,” which is typical in people who have more advanced osteoporosis.

The technique used at Camelback Spine Care to correct a collapsed vertebra is called kyphoplasty used to treat collapsed vertebrae caused by osteoporosis.

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done in the office. It involves using a small balloon to make space within the collapsed vertebra and then filling it with a special material similar to cement. This stabilizes the bone and reduces pain.