Approximately one in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture. These fractures can dramatically change the quality of life for patients and their families due to a loss of patient independence, significant disability and even death.
A Fragility Fracture is any fall from a standing height or less, that results in a fracture. Our bodies should be able to sustain a fall from this height without a fracture unless there is an underlying cause that makes the bones fragile. The most common areas involved include the hip, spine and the wrist. The first fracture is a warning sign. It should result in immediate screening and, if indicated, management and treatment for osteoporosis.
A bone mineral density test (DEXA) can detect osteoporosis. The test uses low dose x-ray to measure bone density in the hip and the spine. The test takes less than 15 minutes. The test compares your bone mineral density (BMD) with that of a healthy 30 year old, since that’s when bones mass is at its peak. The results come as a T-score in these ranges: -1.0 and higher is normal bone density. A score between -1.0 and -2.5 indicates low bone density (osteopenia). A score of -2.5 or below indicates osteoporosis. As your bone density decreases, your T-score gets lower.
Based on the results of the DEXA scan, the clinician can then decide, based on the severity of osteoporosis, what medications and lifestyle changes can be done to improve the condition of the bones. These range from tailoring an appropriate exercise regime, dietary advice as well as medications. Follow-up DEXA scans yearly should also be done to monitor the treatment progress.
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