Richard Bader Physical Therapy

Clinics in:

Norway 743 - 5493
Bridgton 647 - 5493
Poland 998 - 5493

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that is referred to as the “silent disease” because of the fact that people cannot feel their bones become weaker. Unfortunately, people may not know that they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture of hip, spine, or another bone.

Osteoporosis literally means “porous bone”. Good bone has a “swiss cheese” appearance to it, whereas osteoporotic bone looks more like fragile lace. The bone, in other words, is less dense. This decrease in bone density leaves the bones weakened and susceptible to fracture. Both women and men can have osteoporosis, though 80% of those with osteoporosis are women. Indeed, one-third of women over the age of 50 will have a vertebral fracture (each bone of the spine is called a vertebra). When several are fractured, the spine becomes compressed and this results in a loss of height and kyphosis or curvature of the spine.

If you have had a bone scan and have been told that you have osteopenia (decreased bone density but not yet osteoporosis) or osteoporosis, you may be referred to a physical therapist who has special training in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Many people think that bone is an unchanging and permanent structure. However, bone is living tissue that is constantly going through a breakdown/buildup process – a process called remodeling. Since bones are stressed when muscles pull on them, it follows that people must use their muscles to maintain bone strength. However, there are specific exercises that should not be performed by people diagnosed with osteoporosis because they may indeed cause a fracture. Physical therapists, with special training in the treatment of osteoporosis, especially those trained as women’s health specialists, can teach individuals exercises to help to maintain the density of bone, as well as instruct in balance exercises in order to prevent a fall that might result in a bone fracture.