Osteoporosis: Treatment

General measures

  • Physical activity: promote muscle strength and coordination and avoid immobilization!
  • Sunlight supports the body’s production of vitamin D for bone metabolism.
  • Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use).
  • Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day).
  • Aim for normal weight!
    • Since underweight is often a risk factor for osteoporosis, care must be taken to ensure adequate caloric intake.
    • Determination of BMI (Body Mass Index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised weight loss program or program for underweight.
  • Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease!
  • Avoidance of femoral neck fractures by wearing a hip protector.

Annual fall history

For people over the age of 70, a fall history should be taken annually so that countermeasures (fall prevention) can be implemented if necessary. This includes checking the home for “fall traps” such as slippery carpets or poor lighting (for more information, see Fall Propensity/Prevention). If the risk of falling is high, a cause assessment must take place in order to be able to initiate the appropriate measures such as coordination training, medication changes or similar.

Regular check-ups

  • Regular medical checkups

Nutritional medicine

  • Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
  • Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account gender and age.
  • Observance of the following special nutritional recommendations:
    • Calcium-rich (1,000 mg calcium/day) diet: fish, fresh vegetables, dairy and whole-grain products* , and nuts are beneficial for bone formation. * Data from about 3,300 participants in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) cohort study suggest no significant differences in bone density trends as a function of dairy consumption, meaning there is no evidence that middle-aged women may benefit from dairy products in terms of bone density or fractures.
    • Vitamin D-rich diet (supplementation with 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D3 required, as there is no adequate intake of vitamin D from food!).
    • Avoidance of phosphate-containing drinking and nutrients (eg cola drinks, various sausages and meat products).
    • Note that for optimal bone metabolism must be fed less acid-forming foods and instead more base-donating foods.
  • Selection of appropriate foods based on the nutritional analysis
  • See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – Taking a suitable dietary supplement.
  • Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Sports Medicine

  • Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training).
  • Regular moderate training with pressure load stimulates bone formation and thus reduces the risk of fractures (bone fractures). Furthermore, measures to promote muscle strength and coordination (e.g., through Tai Chi) should be carried out with the aim of reducing falls. At the same time, however, care should be taken not to overload and not to expose the body to an increased risk of bone fractures.
  • An ideal method to rebuild the muscles degenerated by lack of exercise and gentle posture and stabilize the spine, thus protecting against vertebral fractures (vertebral fractures), is Medical Strengthening Therapy (MST). Swimming, light gymnastics, water aerobics or walking. The implementation of physical training is best done in the great outdoors, because so at the same time still stimulated by sunlight vitamin D production.
  • Combined strength training i.e. strength training and exercises with high force impact on the joints (e.g. running, jumping rope) achieved a significant positive effect in postmenopausal women in terms of maintaining bone density of the femoral neck and lumbar spine, while strength training alone did not lead to significant positive effects.
  • Preparation of a fitness or training plan with suitable sports disciplines based on a medical check (health check or athlete check).
  • Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.

Complementary treatment methods

  • Magnetic resonance therapy (MRI) (synonyms: MBST nuclear magnetic resonance therapy, nuclear magnetic resonance therapy, multibiosignal therapy, multi-bio-signal therapy, MBST nuclear magnetic resonance) – treatment method in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; magnetic resonance imaging; abbreviated as nuclear magnetic resonance), known from diagnostics, is used therapeutically. The procedure aims at reactivating metabolic processes in the cells, thus enabling the regeneration of defective cartilage and bone tissue.
  • Whole-body vibration training (“whole-body vibration exercise”, WBV training); two systems are available for this purpose:
    • Side-alternating plate systems and
    • Vertically oscillating plate systems or possibility for dual vibration (vertical and/or side-alternating).

Measures for fractures

If a compression fracture (fracture caused by the compression of a bone in the longitudinal axis) of the vertebral body has already occurred, adequate pain therapy must be administered.Other measures.

  • Relieve fracture pain, joint capsule irritation, and insertional tendopathies with appropriate positioning. The relieving position for acute pain is usually supine with the hip and knee joints flexed 90 degrees each. Underpadding of the shoulder region as well as the upper portions of the thoracic spine to provide broad-based support for the hunchback. In the lateral position, the hip and knee joints should be bent by about 90 degrees for de-lordosis of the lumbar spine.
  • Physical measures to treat the discomfort of muscles, bones, ligaments and joint capsules.
  • Thermotherapy
    • Cold applications for fresh fractures and for acutely painful processes (avoid hypothermia!).
    • Heat applications to relax painful hypertonic muscle groups.
  • Massages to reduce pain from cramping; contraindicated in fresh fractures (not indicated.
  • Physiotherapy for patient mobilization and strengthening of overloaded muscle groups.
  • For chronic pain, isometric exercises in the unloading position are useful.
  • Orthoses (orthopedic devices with posture-correcting and supporting function) are used to relieve pain and mobilize the patient.