Osteoporosis Flashcards
1
Q
What is osteoporosis?
A
“porous bones”
disease where there is a low bone mass caused by a loss of bone matrix
2
Q
What is a complication of osteoporosis?
A
fracture (from minimal force because bones are fragile)
3
Q
What causes osteoporosis?
A
- ageing (d/t tissue deterioration)
- genetic predisposition (to a lower peak bone mass)
- endocrine changes (especially estrogen changes because estrogen limits/slows bone loss)
2 major risks:
1) low peak bone mass (PBM)
2) post menopause (excessive bone loss due to decrease in estrogen)
4
Q
What is the pathology of osteoporosis?
A
- peak bone mass normally occurs around 30 years old (time when you have the most bone mass)
- growth of long bone stops at around 20 years old
- there is a positive balance between bone formation before 30 years old (you are making more bone than you are reabsorbing)
- there is a negative balance between bone formation and resorption sometime after 30 years old
- there is excessive loss of bone after menopause
- there aren’t any gross changes to bone but if you section it you will see it is porous
- architectural changes
- microscopic damage sets in
5
Q
What are the manifestations of osteoporosis?
A
- usually silent until a fracture (will be revealed in the x-ray) > acute, severe pain
- damage to vertebrae, change in stature
- distorted spine (may cause breathing problems)
- difficulty chewing, biting, teeth may become loose (because teeth are anchored in the bone)
6
Q
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
A
- x-ray will show if in late stages
- bone density scan (usually scan lumbar spine, radius, neck of femur, result is a T value between 1 and 2.5 with higher scores indicating higher density)
7
Q
How is osteoporosis treated?
A
- prevent fractures
- treat pain and manage disability
- weight bearing activity is good for the bones
- antiresorptive agents (affect osteoclasts)
- anabolic agents (affect osteolasts)
- healthy diet and lifestyle (especially enough vitamin D, calcium and protein)
