Osteoporosis And Fractures
Do all patients with osteoporosis experience bone fractures?
Fractures are a relatively late complication of osteoporosis. That's very good, of course. In the worst-affected individuals, fractures could develop simply from stepping off the kerb, but this is very unusual. Most hip fracture patients fall down and don't have a spontaneous fracture.
How can I avoid bone fractures if I have osteoporosis?
The prevention of fractures depends on two aspects of care .One of course, is to give medications, that strengthen the bone .But if someone has quite severe osteoporosis, even the medication is not going to prevent odd fractures , but we can start with that .The second component of treatment, is avoiding accidents and this sounds very simple .But patients when told that, often cannot follow that instruction. So avoiding falling, avoiding lifting very heavy objects, avoiding certain movements in the gym, twisting and other contortions is extremely important. I am not sure, that I can convey that adequately to most patients. They nod and say of course I'll try to be careful, but then 6 months later, I have people calling me saying, I tripped on the rug in my den and fell and broke my hip. So both treatment of the bone itself, but even more important is avoiding accidents. It can prevent fractures.
How long does it take to recover from a bone fracture if I have osteoporosis?
Fracture healing is not particularly abnormal in people with osteoporosis.So, whether you break a bone in a terrible car accident or have a fracture because you have osteoporosis doesn't seem to make a big difference in the time it takes to heal. If you have a fracture of the vertebrae, for instance, whether youu have osteoporosis or not, generally you have terrible pain right away. It slowly gets better, not fast enough, but slowly gets better and then usually within two months, or perhaps three at the longest, the pain from the fracture is gone. If pain persists, that has to be investigated. There might be a pinched nerve or some other problem in the back, because of the fracture.
