What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease where bone strength is reduced and therefore the risk of fracture is increased and bones will fracture at a load that would not normally cause a fracture. This occurs because there's a reduction in the amount of bone we have or our bone mass. There are also changes to bone micro architecture and quality.

If you want to learn more about this topic, you can watch Lora Giangregorio's lecture here:

Click here

T-score

Osteoporosis has been traditionally defined based on bone mineral density or BMD measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and these are X rays that are done of the proximal femur and the lumbar spine. Osteopenia is a term that refers to a bone mineral density T-score between -1 and -2.5 and osteoporosis is a bone mineral density T-score of -2.5 or below.

Osteoporosis and falls

The impact of falls is compounded in people with osteoporosis, often resulting in multiple appendicular and axial skeleton fractures. Once one fracture has occurred, the chances of having another fracture increases. This 'cascade effect' means women who have suffered a fracture in their spine are over four times more likely to have another fracture within the next year, compared to women who have never had an osteoporotic fracture. Hence, fall prevention is important in osteoporosis.¹

Is osteoporosis reversible?

While osteoporosis can potentially be slowed down in its progression, it is considered to be irreversible once it has developed. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that there are steps we can take to lower the risk of fractures and increase bone mineral density. These may include drugs that stop bone deterioration, promote bone growth, or do both. A nutritious diet, frequent exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol use are among lifestyle modifications that can help manage it.

Watch these clips take from the lecture 'Exercise for Fall and Fracture Prevention'' by Dr Lora Giangregorio to know more about how to manage osteoporosis.

*Rotate your phone to watch the videos*

1.Exercise and osteoporosis

2.Balance training for Osteoporosis

3.How to progress balance training in patients with osteoporosis

4.Resistance training for osteoporosis

If you want to learn more about this topic, you can watch Lora Giangregorio's lecture here:

Click here

Sources:

1. Fall prevention - International osteoporosis foundation

2. Lecture 'Exercise for Fall and Fracture Prevention' by Dr Lora Giangregorio