DMX: Injuries and pain that can change your life: Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is generally associated with "growing old."  Depending on a few factors you don't necessarily have to be "old" to have osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?

"Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones. Osteoporosis literally leads to abnormally porous bone that is compressible, like a sponge. This disorder of the skeleton weakens the bone and results in frequent fractures (breaks) in the bones. Osteopenia is a condition of bone that is slightly less dense than normal bone but not to the degree of bone in osteoporosis.
Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone to fracture. The fracture can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture) or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine). The spine, hips, ribs, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis although osteoporosis-related fractures can occur in almost any skeletal bone. (Medicine.net)

Facts about Osteoporosis: 

• Condition of fragile bone(s) that are more susceptible to fractures.
• Weakens the bone and increases the risk of bones breaking.
• Bone density (mass) decreases after age 35 years.
• Bone density (mass) decreases more rapidly in women after menopause.
• Risk Factors for osteoporosis; genetics, lack of exercise, lack of calcium and vitamin D, personal history of bone fractures as an adult, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, history of rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight and family history.
• Most people have no symptoms until a bone fracture occurs.
• Diagnosis of osteoporosis can be suggested by X-rays and then confirmed by bone density tests.
• Can be treated by prescription medications, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, exercise and including more calcium and vitamin D.

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Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon