Bone is a tissue that supports our body structurally, safeguards the soft tissues, and serves as a mineral storage area. Osteoporosis, which literally translates to "porous bone," is a bone condition marked by decreased mineral density. Due to this condition, the bone becomes weak and brittle and is more susceptible to fractures from simple falls. Since no symptoms appear until after a bone has been broken, this condition is known as a silent disease. Fractures commonly affect the spine, wrist, hip, and other body parts.

Risk factors

The chance of developing osteoporosis is affected by a number of factors, including:

• Older age: Due to slower bone regeneration, lower bone mineral density, and decreased bone strength, older persons have an increased chance of developing osteoporosis.

• Gender: Osteoporosis increases the risk of fracture by one in two in women over 50. Due to their thinner, lighter, and smaller bones and lower oestrogen hormone production, women are four times more susceptible than males to develop osteoporosis. Oestrogen is a crucial hormone for bone health.

• Eating habits: Due to vitamin inadequacies, eating habits like avoiding dairy products and anorexia can weaken and fragilize bones and raise your risk of osteoporosis.

• Early onset of menopause: As a result of increased bone resorption and decreased oestrogen production brought on by menopause, which results in fast bone loss density in the first 10 years following menopause, postmenopausal women are more likely to develop osteoporosis and have a higher risk of fractures.

• Heredity or family history of osteoporosis: You are more likely to develop osteoporosis if your parents or siblings do.

• No or low exposure to sunlight: Vitamin D must be produced in the presence of sunlight. As a result, vitamin D is also known as the vitamin of sunshine.

• Habits like excessive intake of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, etc. and smoking: These practises prevent the absorption of minerals necessary for strong bones. Smoking causes a faster loss of bone density than quitting. Alcoholism decreases bone growth and raises the possibility of falling.

• Inactive lifestyle: Lack of activity weakens bones and raises the possibility of falling.

• Medical conditions: Osteoporosis is a risk factor for a number of diseases and surgeries, including cancer, AIDS, autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc.), digestive disorders (celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.), endocrine disorders (diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, etc.), neurological disorders (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis,

• Medications: Over time, drugs like anticonvulsants, glucocorticoids, steroids, etc. may thin the bones.

Causes

Healthy bones will naturally continually replace older ones with new ones in order to preserve bone strength. In a process known as bone resorption, osteoclasts break down old bones and release minerals into the circulation, whereas osteoblasts build new bones through a process known as bone ossification or osteogenesis. Osteoporosis is brought on by an imbalance between bone ossification and bone resorption. Bone reabsorption is greater than bone growth in osteoporotic situations. After the age of 30, this imbalance in bone turnover starts.

Signs and Symptoms

Osteoporosis is regarded as a "silent illness" because it does not manifest any overt signs prior to a painful fracture. However, one should keep an eye out for the following symptoms and signs:

Early signs of osteoporosis

Following are the early signs of osteoporosis:

• Weaker hand grasp as a result of the bones' poor mineral density. 

• Weak bone density may be indicated by brittle, weak nails.

Later-stage symptoms

Following are the early signs of osteoporosis

• Loss of height: As a result of spinal compression brought on by weak bones, the person gradually grows shorter by an inch or more.

• Change in posture: A small curvature of the spine that causes stooping or bending forward (kyphosis) can result from a compression fracture of the spine.

• Shortness of breath: A compression fracture of the spine is caused by brittle bone. As a result of the vertebra collapsing, the lungs are under pressure, which reduces their capacity.

• Bone fractures: The fracture can happen even with a vigorous sneeze, cough, or the tiniest twisting of the leg because of weak, brittle, or fragile bones.

• Osteoporosis-related compression fractures of the spine causing neck and lower back pain. Visit the best orthopaedic centre in India if you are having these symptoms.

Treatment

Based on the diagnostic results of imaging tests including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, DEXA scans, etc., either non-operative or operational alternatives for treating osteoporosis are suggested.

Non-operative treatments of osteoporosis

Treatment suggestions are given based on the degree of bone loss and include:

Medications:

If there is a little to moderate risk of fracture, the following drugs are advised:

• Bis-phosphonates (anti-resorptive drugs to stop the body from re-absorbing bone tissue)

• Monoclonal antibody medications (a form of immunotherapy)

• Bone-building medications

• Anabolic agents (for the formation of bones)

• Hormone-related therapy (hormones like oestrogen, testosterone, etc., may be prescribed to increase bone density)

Lifestyle modifications

Quitting behaviours like smoking, consuming alcohol, chewing tobacco and other such vices can lower the chance of getting osteoporosis and fractures. Bones can be strengthened through regular exercise such as walking, jogging, weightlifting, etc.

Dietary modifications

Eat a calcium-rich diet that includes dairy products, fish (salmon with bones, sardines), vegetables (kale, broccoli), calcium-fortified foods, dried figs, and other healthy sources of calcium.

Supplements

Calcium, vitamin D, and other dietary supplements, as well as other minerals, can stop or delay bone loss

Operative Management of Osteoporosis

Only after other, non-surgical treatments, such as bed rest, drugs, etc., fail in the case of severe osteoporosis (bone mineral density (T-score) score of 2.5 or lower), which is characterised by weak bones, are surgical methods for osteoporosis therapy recommended:

• Arthroplasty

Arthroplasties are used to treat osteoporotic knee and hip fractures in older patients. A surgical procedure called arthroplasty includes removing the damaged joints and replacing them with new ones.

• Vertebroplasty

The spine is stabilised and discomfort is decreased through this minimally invasive technique. During the surgery, a hollow needle is used to inject a bone cement mixture into the damaged spine. Through rigorous pain management and stability of the fractured spine, this procedure's primary goals are to avoid repeated fractures and lessen discomfort.

• Kyphoplasty

A balloon is injected into the broken spinal region in the afflicted portion of the spine via a tube. To make room and reach a normal spinal height, the balloon is inflated. The space is subsequently filled and the spine is stabilised using a mixture of bone cement.

• Open decompression or fusion surgery, or lumbar laminectomy. Book an appointment today at Best Osteoporosis Treatment Hospital in India and know more about the treatment facilities.

• Spinal instrumentation for fracture and deformity

By using specialised implants like screws, rods, pins, plates, etc., the osteoporotic spine is stabilised.

Rehabilitation

Depending on the location and the severity of the fractures, the post-operative bone healing process may take several weeks to months. The healing process can be aided by light exercise and a gradual increase in activity of a mild to moderate intensity.