Osteoporosis is the cause of fractures

The osteoporosis it is the most common metabolic bone disease; the bones they become more porous when increasing the number and the amplitude of the cavities or cells that exist in their interior, for that reason they become thinner, fragile and have less resistance before a fall or a blow, reason why they break easily.

The main consequence of the osteoporosis it is the fracture, which is common from the age of 65; Women are the most likely to suffer any of them.

Among the most common are the doll , which affects the distal part of the radius (fracture of Colles) and is more frequent after 55 years of age; the column , which is one of the main causes of disability in old age, increases after 75 years; the hip , which causes an abnormal curvature of the spine (kyphosis) and can be very painful to the patient; the neck of the femur and the shoulders .

The risk factors to develop osteoporosis are:

  1. Family history of the condition
  2. Early menopause (before age 45) or as a result of surgical removal of ovaries, which causes rapid bone loss
  3. Previous fracture as a result of osteoporosis
  4. Low calcium diet
  5. Habit smoking
  6. Excessive use of alcohol
  7. Advanced age
  8. Low levels of testosterone in men
  9. Slim build, with small bones
  10. Advanced age
  11. Sedentary lifestyle, with little or no exercise
  12. Prolonged use of some medication, including hormones, glucocorticoids used to treat conditions such as asthma, arthritis and some cancers; and anticonvulsant medications

The threat of fractures it is what makes this disease so dangerous, which usually accompanies the person for years without presenting symptoms until their presence is noticed by a simple fall.

The osteoporotic fractures may be important and require to be treated by a orthopedist, because it can have serious consequences.

If you are over 65 and suffer from a fall or blow, go immediately to a specialist!


Video Medicine: Preventing, Diagnosing and Treating Osteoporosis Video – Brigham and Women’s Hospital (March 2024).