Osteoporosis: What Is Hiding in Your Bones?

Osteoporosis is a slow process of bone tissue loss. Because of changes in its structure, the bone becomes thinner and fragile, which significantly increases the risk of fractures under minimal load. According to specialists' observations, osteoporosis is one of the most common chronic diseases. It is most often diagnosed in older people and in women after menopause.

Forms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be primary or secondary. The primary form is the most common and has systemic manifestations. The secondary form is much less common and is classified by extent (localized or systemic).

Osteoporosis: Causes

The causes of osteoporosis differ by form of the disease. The primary form is triggered by the aging process (senile), hormonal imbalance in the late stage of menopause (postmenopausal), congenital conditions (juvenile) or unidentified factors (idiopathic). The secondary form develops against a background of genetic disorders, rheumatic diseases, diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, blood or endocrine system, vitamin D deficiency or vitamin A excess, and treatment with glucocorticoids.

Osteoporosis: Symptoms

The main danger of the disease is its symptom-free course until the first fracture. Sometimes even the injuries are not obvious to the patient, for example cracked ribs or "flattened" vertebrae that can no longer bear the weight of the body.

The main symptoms of osteoporosis:

• increased muscle tone, frequent cramps in the limbs;
• poor posture and impaired function of the musculoskeletal system;
• loss of height after a compression fracture of the vertebrae;
• back pain even under minor load;
• characteristic sharp pain in osteoporosis, located in the spine, ribs and chest (it gets worse if you stay in one position for a long time).

Fractures of various locations are a symptom of the late stage of the disease. The most severe of them can lead to loss of mobility and disability. In older patients, the most difficult cases are fractures of the femoral neck.

Osteoporosis: Diagnosis

CSM Clinic in Kyiv offers a comprehensive approach to diagnosing osteoporosis. The doctor takes the medical history, examines the patient, and orders blood tests (complete blood count, biochemistry, hormones and specific bone remodeling markers), ultrasound of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, X-ray and densitometry (a bone density test).

Osteoporosis: Treatment

First, let us look at who treats osteoporosis. The nature of the disease usually calls for a multidisciplinary approach. Depending on the cause of the disease, a rheumatologist, orthopedist, endocrinologist, family doctor, hematologist and other specialists may be involved in treatment. If several doctors manage the case, the way to treat osteoporosis is decided jointly. It may be conservative therapy (medications, laser therapy, electrophoresis, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise, an osteoporosis diet) or surgery (osteosynthesis, joint replacement).

Rehabilitation

After osteoporosis treatment, rehabilitation is important. A physiotherapist in Kyiv can help restore musculoskeletal function.