Send This Story
Health & Wellness: What Women Should Know About Osteoporosis
New technology can help repair the "silent killer."
by Henry Krebs, M.D.
August 1, 2007
It’s reported that 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have
osteoporosis, and another 34 million are at risk for developing the disease.
More sobering: Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million bone fractures at an estimated $18
billion per year in health-care costs. Osteoporosis is a significant and costly health-care
problem, but one that, with improved technology and education, can be managed.
Once thought to be a normal part of aging, it is now known that osteoporosis can be slowed
and fractures avoided with early detection and treatment.
Osteoporosis cannot be prevented so, for that, it is a normal part of aging. Mineral mass or
bone density develops to its peak while we’re in our early teens or 20s. From there, we all slowly
begin to lose bone mineral over time and at various rates – depending on many factors, including
diet, family history, race, gender, the amount of vitamin D and calcium in diets, etc. Women lose
about .5 percent a year until menopause, after which that rate can increase to 1 percent a year.
The "silent killer"
Loss of bone mineral causes the bones to soften and weaken. Known as the “silent
killer,” undiagnosed and untreated osteoporosis most often goes unrecognized until a fall results
in forearm fractures; pain betrays a compression fracture in the spine; or a fall, spin or stress
results in a hip fracture. Osteoporosis is most dangerous because of its morbidity and mortality –
complications that lead to death.
For example, most of us have seen older women or men who have become nearly bent in half from
osteoporosis. What we don’t see and don’t notice are the innumerable associated problems with the
posture: reduced lung and oxygen capacity, stomach and digestive complications, as well as
additional strain and pressure to the heart and other organs. All these complications shorten lives
and significantly reduce the quality of life.
There is very good news, however. There are improved ways to diagnose it early and treat it
more effectively.
Previously, osteoporosis was diagnosed via X-ray or CT scan. But these include high doses of
radiation, so they are not necessarily good screening or early detection tools. The newly
FDA-approved Lunar iDXA™,energy X-ray absorptiometry) provides physicians unprecedented image
quality with the best precision and accuracy, allowing them to detect, diagnose and monitor
treatment of osteoporosis. The crisp and high-resolution images of all skeletal sites reveal
vertebral deformities never able to be seen before and provide doctors and patients with accurate
measurements free from error, every time. With the iDXA imaging, doctors can see and track changes
that previously were too small to detect. And, for patients, there is minimal exposure to
radiation, and there is no need for dyes or contrast.
There are also new medications that reduce the rate of loss, and in some instances, can
actually rebuild bone density. These include Fosomax, Boniva and Forteo. Side effects are
manageable, and the medications may be taken daily, monthly or self-injected for a period of time.
New surgical interventions
In addition, there are new surgical interventions that repair compression fractures and
reduce pain. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are procedures in which surgeons inject bone cement
into the crushed spinal bones (vertebrae) through a needle.
Vertebroplasty is used to relieve pain from spinal compression. After giving a local
anesthetic, the doctor inserts a needle into the patient’s vertebrae and injects a cement-like
mixture into the crushed area. The needle is guided with an imaging technique called C-arm
fluoroscopy. The cement mixture hardens in about a half an hour, and after a short recovery period,
the patient is sent home.
Kyphoplasty can be used to restore the vertebrae to a more normal shape. Following a local or
general anesthetic, a small incision is made in the back, and a balloon device is inserted into the
fractured vertebrae and inflated. A cement-like material is then injected into the space created by
the balloon. The cement hardens, filling the previously compacted space, reducing the pain and
helping restore a more normal structure to the spine.
Both procedures take about one hour for each treated vertebra, and the patient may return
home the same day or, if necessary, stay in the hospital overnight.
What women should know
As with most diseases, early detection is truly the key. What women should know
about osteoporosis is that, while it cannot be prevented, there is technology available to alert
them earlier than ever before to the risk, and there are successful treatments. My recommendation
would be to make it part the habit of an annual mammogram appointment. Include the iDXA
bone-density screening during the same visit. It’s always advisable to return to the same place
year after year for screenings and tests to ensure immediate and historical access to those earlier
results and consistency in procedures and equipment. The sooner osteoporosis and other diseases are
identified, the faster doctors and patients can get treatment, limit the damage and reduce or avoid
disability.
Fast Facts
- Osteoporosis will affect 55 percent of all Americans over 50.
- One in two women and one in four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in his/her lifetime.
- Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually.
Risk Factors
- Current low bone mass
- Being female
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Inactive lifestyle
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Current cigarette smoking
- Low lifetime calcium intake
Five Steps to Defend Against Osteoporosis
- A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
- Weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises.
- Healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake.
- Talking about bone health with a healthcare professional.
- Bone density testing and medication when appropriate.
Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation
