Increased mortality, pain, disability, depression and loss of independence have been well documented after hip and vertebral fractures. Due to the high risk of morbidity and mortality after an osteoporotic fracture, older adults require an interdisciplinary approach to their care.

What is the major problem in elderly people that have osteoporosis?

Broken bones can lead to serious problems for seniors. The hip is a common site for osteoporosis, and hip fractures can lead to a downward spiral of disability and loss of independence. Osteoporosis is also common in the wrist and the spine.

How does osteoporosis affect the elderly?

Osteoporosis is a progressive condition that leads to more fragile bones as you get older. Fragile bones are more likely to break easily, and bones in your wrist, hip and spine are particularly vulnerable. Bone is a living tissue and new bone replaces old bone throughout life.

What complications can osteoporosis cause?

Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis. Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury. In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you haven’t fallen.

What kind of fracture is most commonly found in older patients with osteoporosis?

Consistent with current clinical experience, the fractures rated most likely due to osteoporosis were the femoral neck, pathologic fractures of the vertebrae, and lumbar and thoracic vertebral fractures. The fractures rated least likely due to osteoporosis were open proximal humerus fractures, skull, and facial bones.

What causes brittle bones in elderly?

As you age, your body may reabsorb calcium and phosphate from your bones instead of keeping these minerals in your bones. This makes your bones weaker. When this process reaches a certain stage, it is called osteoporosis.

Why are the elderly more at risk for fractures?

Bone fragility, falls, and people at high risk Fractures occur in elderly people because of skeletal fragility. Appendicular fractures are usually precipitated by a fall. Falls account for 90% of hip fractures, and the risk of falling increases with age.

Why does the risk of falling and bone fractures increase with age?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become fragile and brittle, leading to higher risk of breakage. This occurs when bones lose minerals such as calcium more quickly than the body can replace them. In Australia, osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50.

What is osteoporosis in elderly?

Abstract. Osteoporosis is a major clinical problem in older women and men. Almost any bone can fracture as a result of the increased bone fragility of osteoporosis. These fractures are associated with higher health care costs, physical disability, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality.

What happens to bones as we age?

People lose bone mass or density as they age, especially women after menopause. The bones lose calcium and other minerals. Between each bone is a gel-like cushion (called a disk). With aging, the middle of the body (trunk) becomes shorter as the disks gradually lose fluid and become thinner.

Who does osteoporosis affect?

Osteoporosis is more common in women. It affects almost 20% (1 in 5) of women aged 50 and over and almost 5% (1 in 20) of men aged 50 and over. Many people with osteoporosis do not know they have it until they break a bone.

What are long term effects of osteoporosis?

This leads to the long-term effects commonly associated with osteoporosis, which include: height loss. curvature of the spine or a change in posture. ongoing back pain and muscle spasms.

How does osteoporosis cause death?

Broken bones are the only danger Osteoporosis is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. Osteoporosis leads to hip fractures and, according to Sellmeyer, around 25 percent of people die within the first six to 12 months after a hip fracture.

What are the complications of fractures?

Complications of Fractures

• Blood vessel damage. Many fractures cause noticeable bleeding around the injury.
• Pulmonary embolism.
• Fat embolism.
• Compartment syndrome.
• Infections.
• Joint problems.
• Uneven limbs.
• Osteonecrosis.

What are the risk factors for fractures in patients with osteoporosis?

As outlined by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, major risk factors for osteoporosis and related fractures include a personal history of fracture as an adult, a history of a fragility fracture in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or offspring), low body weight, current smoking, and use of oral

What are the three areas most at risk for an osteoporotic fracture?

Osteoporosis is a common disease that is characterized by low bone mass with microarchitectural disruption and skeletal fragility, resulting in an increased risk of fracture, particularly at the spine, hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis [1].