How to treat osteoporosis?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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To address osteoporosis, it's crucial to determine whether it's primary or secondary in origin. For primary osteoporosis, it is advisable to appropriately supplement with calcium and vitamin D to facilitate bone formation and engage in suitable exercise to strengthen the bones. If the osteoporosis is severe, adding medications that promote bone formation and inhibit bone loss can aid in treatment. If a fracture occurs due to osteoporosis, it is first necessary to reposition and stabilize the fracture, while also using medications to prevent further osteoporosis. Osteoporosis caused by long-term immobilization after a fracture can be managed by increasing physical activity, which helps restore blood flow around the fractured area and prevent such osteoporosis.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
49sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis in women?

Symptoms of osteoporosis in women generally include the following: The first is pain, which can be localized back pain or generalized pain throughout the body. The second is spinal deformity, which is often manifested by bending and hunching over, as well as some individuals appearing shorter than before—these conditions are also caused by osteoporosis, leading to reduced bone strength and vertebral deformity. The third is brittle fractures, which occur because osteoporosis leads to a reduction in bone mass, making the bones less sturdy. Even a minor external force can cause a fracture, for example, a simple fall might result in a distal radius fracture. Thus, the basic symptoms of osteoporosis in women include pain, spinal deformity, and brittle fractures.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
1min 12sec home-news-image

How is osteoporosis treated?

Osteoporosis refers to a decline in bone density and quality, increasing brittleness and potentially leading to systemic skeletal diseases. Once osteoporosis occurs, it is crucial to appropriately supplement inorganic salts that promote bone formation, as the structure composed of inorganic salts and collagen in the bones changes. Dietary intake should be enhanced with foods rich in calcium, and it is equally important to supplement with Vitamin D, as the absorption of calcium is facilitated by Vitamin D. Therefore, not only should calcium be supplemented, but also Vitamin D should be appropriately added. Alongside supplementing calcium and Vitamin D, proper exercise is important, as increased physical activity can help strengthen the bones. If these measures do not alleviate the condition, it may be necessary to investigate whether the issue stems from an obstruction in bone formation or from a problem with bone loss. Determining the cause of osteoporosis in this way, there are also medications available that can alleviate bone loss and promote bone formation, allowing for targeted treatment.

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Written by Xie Yi Song
Orthopedics
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How is osteoporosis treated?

Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic disease characterized by low bone mass and destruction of bone tissue microstructure, leading to increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporosis is common in the elderly but can occur at any age. Effective pharmacological treatments can prevent and treat osteoporosis, including estrogen replacement therapy, calcitonin, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and bisphosphonates, which can prevent bone resorption but have little effect on bone formation. Medications used to treat and prevent the development of osteoporosis fall into two main categories: the first category includes drugs that inhibit bone resorption, such as calcium supplements, vitamin D and active vitamin D, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, estrogen, and isoflavones; the second category includes drugs that promote bone formation, such as fluoride, synthetic steroids, and isoflavones. In addition to pharmacotherapy, patients should also enhance nutrition with a high-protein diet, calcium, and various vitamins. High protein is beneficial for the formation of bone matrix, and calcium supplementation can promote calcium balance. Milk, rich in protein and calcium, is an ideal treatment diet, and it is also advisable to take appropriate amounts of calcium tablets, vitamin D, and vitamin C.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
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How to maintain bone health with osteoporosis

Patients with osteoporosis should first pay attention to the following in their daily lives: First, persist in supplementing calcium and second, supplement Vitamin D as medication. In other aspects of life, it is important to engage in appropriate activities and develop a habit of regular activity. Vigorous activities, such as sprinting or playing ball games, are not recommended. Generally, it is advised that patients regularly take walks outdoors and ensure exposure to sunlight. This is why outdoor activities and enhancing sunlight exposure are related, which is the third point. The fourth important point is that if osteoporosis is diagnosed, elderly individuals must implement anti-slip measures at home to prevent falls. (Medication usage should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Does osteoporosis cause pain?

Osteoporosis can be painful, and the clinical manifestations of osteoporosis are threefold: first, pain; second, vertebral deformation; third, fragile fractures. Pain is the earliest symptom of osteoporosis, which can be localized pain, generalized pain, aching pain, or dull pain. Therefore, for older individuals or women around the time of menopause, if there is unexplained pain, and no primary or secondary lesions can be found, osteoporosis should be considered. In fact, the examination for osteoporosis is quite simple. Currently, the most commonly used clinical examinations are radiological and biochemical tests. In radiological tests, DXA, which stands for Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, is the gold standard for clinical diagnosis. In addition, some bone markers can be tested, making diagnosis fairly straightforward. Therefore, osteoporosis can be painful, and if there is unexplained generalized pain in conjunction with age and gender, osteoporosis should be considered.