Physician and Patient

What is Osteoporosis?

Dr. David Hanley Osteoporosis Centre

Osteoporosis is a bone condition where you have weakness or decreased strength in your bones. It is caused by the loss or breakdown of bone structure which leads to low bone mass (quantity) and weaker bone architecture (quality). Loss and breakdown of bone structure is painless but may lead to bone fractures especially in areas of the spine, wrist, hip/pelvis, and shoulder.

Osteoporosis can occur in both women and men and typically occurs later in life. There are no symptoms until you break a bone. Breaking bones can decrease your ability to carry out everyday activities, cause disfigurement, and affect your mobility and even self-esteem.

Risk factors that contribute to the development of osteoporosis include:

  • Older age
  • Sex (women more than men)
  • Genetic susceptibility (having a parent with a history of hip fracture)
  • Early menopause (prior to age 45)
  • Use of certain medications
  • Having a medical condition such as thyroid conditions, hormone disorders, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac disease, conditions that affect the absorption of foods, chronic liver or lung disease
  • Low body weight
  • Consuming 3 or more alcoholic drinks each day
  • Smoking
  • Having an inactive lifestyle

Having one or more of these risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis may increase your chances of breaking a bone. The most common sites for an osteoporosis fracture are the spine, wrist, hip/pelvis, and shoulder.

 

What is a Bone Density Test (BMD)?

This is a special type of x-ray exam used to measure the mineral density of your bones – it is known as a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA). As you lay on a special exam table, an x-ray is used to scan your spine and one (or both) hips to determine the amount of x-ray that can pass through your bones. The thicker the bones, the less radiation that can pass through and be detected. A radiologist will interpret your exam by analyzing the images taken and send a report to your referring healthcare provider. Your results will often be reported in the form of a 'T-Score.'

T-Score

This is a mathematical term (the number of standard deviations above or below average).  It shows the amount of bone you have, compared to that of an average young and healthy adult of your sex. A negative T-score means you are below the average. The lower the T-score, the farther below average your bone density is.

DXA or DEXA BMD

BMD is one diagnostic tool often used to help diagnose osteoporosis and assist in determining an individual’s risk for developing a fracture(s) over time. It is not a routine test done each year and should be based upon the presence or absence of other fracture risk factors. Having a low BMD is only one risk factor for having a fracture.

What are my Chances of Having a Fracture

Having one or more of the risk factors that causes osteoporosis can increase your chances of breaking a bone. The FRAX® Risk Calculator is a very useful online tool that can be used to calculate the risk of you having a fracture over the next 10 years.

FRAX®

This is a tool recommended for use around the globe, to calculate the risk of you having a major osteoporotic fracture (spine, forearm, hip, and shoulder). Your risk is calculated according to the region (Canada) you live in and provides an absolute percentage estimate of your risk of fracture over the next 10 years, based upon:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Height
  • Weight
  • Other risk factors

The FRAX® Risk Calculator has been shown to be reasonably accurate in predicting individual fracture risk.