Osteoporosis Specialist

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a serious bone disease that causes weak, brittle bones, making them more susceptible to fractures. It affects people of all ages, but your risk of developing osteoporosis increases as you get older.

Your bones are under constant construction throughout your life, removing old bone cells and replacing them with new bone cells. As you age, the rate of new bone-cell production slows down.

Osteoporosis occurs when the rate of old bone cell breakdown outpaces the replacement of new bone cells. As a result, your bones lose mass and weaken over time, becoming porous and susceptible to fractures.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Most people may not realize they have osteoporosis until they break a bone. With osteoporosis, you may break a bone when doing ordinary things, like stepping out of the shower or walking down the stairs. 

However, osteoporosis may initially affect the vertebrae in your spine. Some of the early signs of osteoporosis include:

• Loss of height
• Stooped posture
• Low back pain
• Shortness of breath from poor posture

Your primary care provider performs a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to assess bone mass and diagnose osteoporosis. This noninvasive X-ray measures bone mineral density in your hips, spine, or wrist.

Women 65 and older and men 70 and older should have a DEXA scan to screen for osteoporosis. However, your primary care provider may request you have a DEXA scan at an earlier age; if they have concerns you may be at risk of osteoporosis. 

How is osteoporosis treated?

Exercise, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle changes are the primary treatments for osteoporosis. The experienced team at Precision Rehab Occupational Physical & Hand Therapy specializes in designing exercise programs for people with osteoporosis.

They create safe and effective exercise programs that improve bone health, muscle strength, and balance and reduce your risk of falls. Your program may include a combination of weight-bearing, resistance, and balance exercises.

The team may also recommend ways to reduce the risk of falls at home, like keeping your hallway clear and removing throw rugs. They may also talk to you about your shoewear and recommend those with low heels and good foot support. 

You can improve bone health when you have the right plan. To get help for your osteoporosis, call Precision Rehab Occupational Physical & Hand Therapy, or schedule an appointment online today.