Life & Style
H E A LT H
Beware Bri le Bones
Tests for osteopenia and osteoporosis help to determine your risk of fractures, which can limit mobility and well-being.
T
compression fracture.” he health of our bones plays a He says early treatment for osteopenia includes critical role in our ability to move weight-bearing exercises and limiting one’s intake our bodies, lift everyday items of carbonation, nicotine and caffeine. Vitamin D, and maintain our independence. calcium and vitamin K2 are added to a patient’s Threats to our mobility include diet, and, if the condition is severe, oral medications osteoporosis and a lesser-known condition called can help to limit bone deterioration. osteopenia. Kirkpatrick says osteoporosis has few symptoms, “Osteopenia is also known as low bone density,’” but one out of two women and one out of four men says Richard Kirkpatrick, an orthopedic surgeon age 50 and older develop an osteoporotic fracture. with Oklahoma Sports and Orthopedic Institute in “Fracture is often the first sign the disease Norman. “It’s sometimes considered a precursor to exists,” he says. “Symptoms occurring late in the osteoporosis, but it’s important to note that not all patients diagnosed with osteopenia will progress to disease include bone pain, loss of height, back pain due to spinal fractures and stooped posture or osteoporosis.” kyphosis.” Patients with osteoporosis have a high risk of He says the worst part of an osteoporotic fracfracturing a bone, while patients with osteopenia ture is disability. have varied levels of risk. “For many patients, “Oftentimes a [fracture they will never regain 100 assessment] score, which percent function,” Kirktakes into account the “Don’t take a patrick says. “They may patient’s personal and chance. Fracture lose the ability to drive, family history, is used to begets fracture. do their own hair or cook give us an estimation of a The likelihood of a their own meals. One of patient’s fracture risk when they have osteopenia,” subsequent fracture the most common causes of assisted living and Kirkpatrick says. “Evaluatis very high.” nursing home admissions ing bone health is most is osteoporotic fracture. commonly done using a Sometimes the best reaDXA, or dual-energy X-ray son to treat osteoporosis absorptiometry. The bone is to preserve physical independence.” mineral density scores from this easy, noninvaHe says nutrition and weight-bearing activity are sive test are compared to normal. Osteopenia is important to prevent or delay the onset of bone loss diagnosed when the DXA score is from minus-1 to and encourages people who experience a fracture minus-2.4. Osteoporosis is diagnosed when the to check their bone health. score is minus-2.5 or worse.” “Don’t take a chance. Fracture begets fracture,” Yogesh Mittal, an orthopedic surgeon at the Kirkpatrick says. “The likelihood of a subsequent Orthopaedic Center in Tulsa, says osteopenia usually has no symptoms, but people with the condition fracture is very high. Don’t wait until you have suffered three fractures before evaluating your bones. face challenges. Well-tolerated, bone-building medications can be “There are some activity restrictions to prevent used for just a couple of years to help regenerate injury that can alter recreational living,” he says. your skeleton and significantly reduce your fracture “Running and impact activity are generally difficult risk. It’s important to initiate them before the most to enjoy for fear of injury, including stress fractures. disabling fractures occur.” There is also a fear that a traumatic episode could REBECCA FAST lead to a significant injury, such as a hip fracture or
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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2018
