Increased risk of bone fracture due to osteoporosis
Patient N.T.A (68 years old) was admitted to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City due to pain in the lumbar spine after slipping and falling at home. After performing tests, she was diagnosed with osteoporosis with lumbar vertebral collapse due to the fall. After being treated with osteoporosis-specific drugs and performing exercises, Ms. A. recovered well and was able to walk and do normal activities. The doctor recommended that she continue to follow the treatment regimen for 3-5 years to achieve the best treatment results and reduce the risk of recurrent fractures.
According to MSc. Dr. Tran Hong Thuy - Department of Internal Medicine and Musculoskeletal System, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, osteoporosis is a condition of decreased bone density and quality, making bones brittle and prone to fracture. The disease can lead to serious complications such as bone fractures, affecting the patient's quality of life.
Osteoporosis is common in postmenopausal women and the elderly but can also affect people with chronic medical conditions such as kidney failure, endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism, or those with a family history of osteoporosis.
MSc. Dr. Nguyen Chau Tuan - Department of Internal Medicine, Musculoskeletal, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City emphasized that men are also at risk of osteoporosis, especially after the age of 50. Factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, lack of exercise and other internal medical conditions also increase the risk of osteoporosis in men.
Treatment compliance and fall prevention
Associate Professor, Dr. Cao Thanh Ngoc - Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - said that one of the biggest challenges in treating osteoporosis is patient compliance. Many patients often do not persist in taking medication because they do not see immediate results after treatment. However, if they do not take medication according to the doctor's instructions, the treatment's effectiveness will be significantly reduced. Just missing 1 dose of medication in 1 month can reduce the treatment's effectiveness by more than 50%. If two doses are missed, the effectiveness is almost zero. Strict adherence to instructions is a key factor in treatment. In addition to compliance with the treatment regimen, preventing falls is an important factor in treating osteoporosis, especially in the elderly.
Doctor Tran Quang Nhat - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Xuyen A Long An General Hospital (Long An province) recommends that the elderly should be careful when moving, relatives should support or have measures to prevent injuries, especially for people with weak health or in times of low light.
When you have an injury, do not self-treat but go immediately to a specialized medical facility for examination, consultation and timely treatment. Adhering to the treatment regimen, combined with a reasonable diet and regular exercise, along with measures to prevent falls will help patients maintain better bone and joint health and improve their quality of life.
