Osteoporosis – Angela’s Story

Osteoporosis, often called “bone loss”, is a condition where the bones become weaker and more likely to break. This happens because bone formation decreases while bone breakdown continues — a natural process that occurs in all bones throughout the body.

Osteoporosis does not affect just one part of the body, and you usually will not notice it until a bone breaks. Although the fracture can heal, recovery tends to take longer in people with osteoporosis. That’s where physiotherapy can play an important role.

Angela leads an active life, yet she was still diagnosed with osteoporosis. This could be due to several risk factors. Here is a list of common ones:

• Being female, especially after menopause (due to hormonal changes)
• Over 50 years old — especially after a fracture later in life
• Long-term use of certain medications, especially corticosteroids (often found in inhalers)
• Smoking and/or frequent alcohol use (2–3 drinks per day)
• Low physical activity
• Low body weight (BMI under 20)
• Poor diet lacking in calcium and vitamin D
• Family history/genetics

If you have several risk factors and suffer a fracture, it is a clever idea to talk to your GP about osteoporosis. A DEXA scan at the hospital can measure your bone density and confirm the diagnosis. Often, a DEXA scan is ordered after someone breaks a bone over the age of fifty.

You can also take the “Weak Bones Test” to estimate your personal risk:
https://osteoporosevereniging.nl/zwakkebottentest/

“My GP tolde me osteoporosis can’t be cured. So why am i at physiotherapy?” Yes, it is true that osteoporosis cannot be completely reversed. Your GP may also prescribe medication. But there is a lot you can do yourself, especially when it comes to lifestyle changes and that’s where physiotherapy comes in.

Some risk factors can be managed directly such as weight, nutrition, exercise, smoking, and alcohol use. Among these, exercise has proven to be the most valuable tool in fighting osteoporosis.

By putting regular pressure on your bones through movement, you stimulate new bone growth. This can be done through targeted exercises, programs like Nederland in Beweging (Dutch national TV exercise program), and simply walking for 30 minutes a day.

A healthy diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein is essential. The Dutch “Schijf van Vijf “ (Five Food Groups) is a helpful guideline. If you have a low BMI (under 20), it is wise to consult a dietitian, who can help create a tailored eating plan especially if you have osteoporosis.

So: exercise, healthy eating, and medication are all key to preventing further bone loss and fractures.

If you fall more often, your risk of fractures increases significantly. That is why it is smart to assess your fall risk. You can do this with the online test:
https://www.testjevalrisico.nl/

The Dutch government offers fall prevention training programs, provided by physiotherapists and exercise therapists throughout the country. If you have questions about this, please contact us — we would be happy to help.

Thankfully, Angela has recovered well from her wrist fracture.
She knows she wants to do everything she can to avoid it happening again. She now pays attention to her nutrition, takes her medication, and participates almost daily in Nederland in Beweging. Recently, she also joined a fall prevention training program.