Is osteoporosis easy to treat?

Written by Xie Yi Song
Orthopedics
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and destruction of bone tissue microstructure, resulting in increased bone fragility, decreased bone strength, and susceptibility to fractures. It is a systemic metabolic disease. Its treatment includes the following aspects: supplementation with calcium and Vitamin D, and the use of medications that inhibit the activity of osteoclasts. Firstly, calcium supplementation is essential, along with Vitamin D, which promotes the absorption of calcium. Based on the severity of osteoporosis, stronger medications might be necessary, such as bisphosphonates or calcitonin. The choice of treatment plan depends on the severity of the patient's condition. Both bisphosphonates and calcitonin are used to inhibit the activity of osteoclasts. The specific duration of treatment for osteoporosis depends on the patient's condition; additionally, patients need to regularly check their bone density. If the bone density is up to standard, they may stop the medication as per the doctor’s advice and undergo regular check-ups. If a relapse occurs, prompt medical treatment is necessary. Thus, the duration of treatment for osteoporosis is relatively long, generally from six months to a year, or even longer.

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Written by Xie Yi Song
Orthopedics
1min 23sec home-news-image

Is osteoporosis easy to treat?

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and destruction of bone tissue microstructure, resulting in increased bone fragility, decreased bone strength, and susceptibility to fractures. It is a systemic metabolic disease. Its treatment includes the following aspects: supplementation with calcium and Vitamin D, and the use of medications that inhibit the activity of osteoclasts. Firstly, calcium supplementation is essential, along with Vitamin D, which promotes the absorption of calcium. Based on the severity of osteoporosis, stronger medications might be necessary, such as bisphosphonates or calcitonin. The choice of treatment plan depends on the severity of the patient's condition. Both bisphosphonates and calcitonin are used to inhibit the activity of osteoclasts. The specific duration of treatment for osteoporosis depends on the patient's condition; additionally, patients need to regularly check their bone density. If the bone density is up to standard, they may stop the medication as per the doctor’s advice and undergo regular check-ups. If a relapse occurs, prompt medical treatment is necessary. Thus, the duration of treatment for osteoporosis is relatively long, generally from six months to a year, or even longer.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
29sec home-news-image

Causes of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is caused by two types of reasons, one is primary disease, and the other is secondary disease. Primary disease is commonly seen in postmenopausal women, as well as in some chronic strain injuries, and the occurrence of some metabolic diseases, which accounts for primary osteoporosis. Secondary osteoporosis may be due to trauma, long-term plaster immobilization, or lack of weight bearing after surgical fixation, leading to disuse osteoporosis.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
47sec home-news-image

Osteoporosis lacks what element?

Osteoporosis refers to a systemic skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone density and strength, resulting in increased bone fragility and potential fractures. There are primarily two types of osteoporosis: primary and secondary. Primary osteoporosis commonly occurs in postmenopausal women and as a result of aging and degenerative changes; secondary osteoporosis sometimes refers to the condition developing after fractures due to prolonged immobilization. Osteoporosis mainly arises from a deficiency in the trace elements calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial components of bone. A lack of these substances can alter bone structure and lead to osteoporosis.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
51sec home-news-image

What to do with osteoporosis?

When osteoporosis occurs, it is first important to determine the cause of the osteoporosis, whether it's due to postmenopausal women, overuse injuries, or osteoporosis caused by long periods of immobilization following trauma. If such osteoporosis occurs, it is advisable to appropriately supplement with calcium and vitamin D, especially for postmenopausal women and elderly individuals affected by degenerative changes. These supplements can be taken orally, and appropriate physical exercise can be incorporated to increase bone strength and achieve recovery. In cases of disuse osteoporosis, appropriate functional exercises should be performed to allow for active muscle contractions and slight weight-bearing by the bones, which promotes circulation around the bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 15sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis? Previously there were three categories, but the latest 2017 treatment guidelines have changed it to four categories: First, pain. This mainly manifests as pain in the lower back or pain throughout the bones of the body. Second, spinal deformation. Severe osteoporosis can cause a person to stoop and hunchback, and it can even lead to a decrease in a person's height and cause limited spinal mobility. Third, fractures. Fractures due to osteoporosis belong to the category of fragile fractures. These are fractures that can occur with very low energy or minor trauma. Common sites include the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, hip fractures, the distal radius and ulna, as well as the humerus and tibia, so sometimes, just a simple fall or being bumped by a door can result in a fracture. Fourth, impacts on psychological states and quality of life. Sometimes after developing osteoporosis, a person may experience fear, anxiety, depression, and loss of self-confidence, which directly leads to reduced contact with the outside world and a decline in the quality of independent living.