Bone Up On Your Health

Here’s how your parent’s broken hip may affect your health, and what you can do to reduce your risk of bone fractures and even prevent osteoporosis in the first place

- AMY GREENBURG

Osteoporosis is an age-related condition characterised by low bone mass and the deterioration of bone tissue. The bones become more porous and brittle, ultimately leading to increased susceptibility to fractures. This includes fragility fractures – fractures sustained with minimal force; for example, falling from standing position.

DR ADRIAN LAU is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon at Hip & Knee Orthopaedics. The Novena-based clinic provides a comprehensive range of screenings and treatments for a range of orthopaedic conditions.

The problem, he says, is that osteoporosis is usually “silent”. Sometimes, there are subtle symptoms such as loss of height and a stooped posture as asymptomatic vertebral fractures occur. However, individuals are usually unaware that they have osteoporosis until they have suffered a fracture.

If left untreated, osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures, most commonly in the wrists, hips and spine, which can severely affect mobility and patient independence.

“In fact, a significant proportion of patients with hip fractures are not able to regain independent living even after successful treatment of those fractures,” says Dr Lau. “That’s why it’s important to reduce fracture risk.”

The good news is that there are steps you can take to assess and actively reduce your fracture risk, and even help slow or prevent bone loss altogether. Here are four of them.