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Osteoporosis

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What is osteoporosis?


Bone metabolism is a process of balance of bone formation and bone resorption. Bone formation is faster than bone resorption during growth stage and reaches the peak at 30-45 years old. Osteoporosis is developed when the bone resorption is faster than bone formation. The osteoporosis patients may develope pain with increase in the risk of fracture. In Hong Kong, around 4500 patients suffered hip fracture on 2009. From local epidemiology report, for female over 50, half of them would suffer from osteoporosis.



Factors contribute to higher risk of osteoporosis and insufficiency fracture


1. Early menopause;
2. Frequent fall;
3. History of rheumatoid arthritis;
4. BMI ≤ 19;
5. Family history; and
6. Smoking or alcoholism.


Diagnosis of osteoporosis


Osteoporosis is a “Silent Disease”, with no obvious symptoms in the beginning until the patients suffer from non-traumatic fracture. DEXA scan is a standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis, X-ray, and sometimes CT or MRI scan are tools to diagnose the minute bone fracture.



Treatment of osteoporosis


1. Exercise and supplements. Regular exercise with appropriate amount of supplements can enhance the bone formation. You are recommended to consult your orthopaedic doctor and physiotherapist to personalize the exercise and diet plan for you.

2. Medications. Bisphosphonates is the common drug treatment for osteoporosis in Hong Kong. Bisphosphonates inhibits the bone resorption site leading to reduction of bone loss and maintain the bone mass density.

3. Surgery. The orthopaedic doctors would diagnose the severity of osteoporosis. If appropriate, doctors would recommend surgery to fix the fractured or fragile part.


Please note: The information on this website is not a recommendation for treatment. Anyone reading it should consult his/her physician before considering treatment. The author and publisher can't be held responsible for anything. Use on your own risk.