Bone-Breaking Reality: Why Hip Fractures Can Be Your Health Catastrophic

Did you know that osteoporosis poses a significant risk to both men and women? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, almost 50% of women and 25% of men will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime.

According to the Mayo Clinic, osteoporosis weakens bones, making them fragile enough that even minor actions like coughing can cause fractures. Bone is a living tissue that continuously regenerates by breaking down old bone and creating new bone. If your body cannot build new bone as quickly as it loses old bone, osteoporosis will occur.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲?
Osteoporosis typically shows no symptoms until a fracture occurs. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms not initially associated with osteoporosis may include lower back pain, decreased height, and posture changes due to collapsed vertebrae, shortness of breath, and broken bones from minor falls and bumps.

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀
Some of the risk factors can include poor nutrition, inadequate exercise (especially strength and resistance training), age, gender (women are 4 times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis), menopause, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and too much alcohol.

Harvard notes that after age 35-40, bones can lose about 1% of their mass yearly, intensifying weakness and the likelihood of fractures.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
The International Osteoporosis Foundation highlights that fractures due to osteoporosis significantly impact life quality, leading to “increased morbidity, mortality, and disability.” Hip fractures are severe, with a mortality rate of 20-24% within the first year and ongoing risks for at least five years.

For survivors of hip fractures:
• 40% cannot walk independently.
• 60% require assistance one year later.
• 33% are dependent or in nursing homes within a year.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Preventing or reducing fracture risk is crucial, and several strategies may include improving nutrition, making lifestyle choices that support bone health, and strength training to name a few.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗔 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁
Harvard indicates that research shows that strength training can slow bone loss and build bone. Consider finding a professional trainer if you need to incorporate strength training into your routine. A qualified trainer can guide you in proper lifting techniques, tailor exercises to your age and body composition, remove the intimidation around lifting weights, and show you the value of simple tools like resistance bands.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆
Prioritizing your bone health today (YES, TODAY!) will increase your ability to live a higher-quality and more independent life as you age.