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Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease that affects the bones, making them more fragile and weak, thereby increasing the risk of fractures in the event of an injury. Because bone mass loss progresses gradually and without distinct symptoms, many people are unaware that they suffer from osteoporosis before undergoing specialized imaging tests or a bone density scan, always under the guidance of a physician.
The diagnosis is based on the grading of bone quality:
- Normal: normal bone density
- Osteopenia: reduced bone mass
- Osteoporosis
- Severe osteoporosis and significant bone loss
The prevention of bone loss or osteoporosis can be achieved by everyone through a balanced diet (tailored to each individual’s needs), systematic weight-bearing and strengthening exercise, avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, fall prevention—especially at older ages—and regular medical monitoring.
The role of the physical therapist is crucial, both for individuals with healthy bone density (with an emphasis on prevention) and for people with osteoporosis, focusing on fall prevention and the strengthening of the muscular system. The physical therapist bases the therapeutic plan on bone measurements and the individualized needs of each patient.
- The preventive plan can include a variety of resistance and weight-training strengthening exercises for all muscle groups, balance exercises, as well as education through clear instructions.
- Correspondingly, a person with osteopenia or osteoporosis learns to avoid falls and fractures through specialized balance and proprioception exercises, performed both on flat surfaces and on controlled, modified terrain.
Emphasis is also placed on strengthening the core and lower extremities, as well as on practical instructions for daily functions, such as how to carry bags or bend down safely. Exercise constitutes a cornerstone of the therapeutic plan, as it helps improve and maintain bone density and overall bone quality, which is also reflected in the patient’s follow-up examinations.
Articles & Bibliography
- Barker K. et al., “The Role of Physiotherapy in the Management of Osteoporosis & Bone Health,” Volume 25, September 2016, pp. e18–e19.
- Delbaere K. et al., “Chapter 70 – Falls Prevention Interventions,” in Osteoporosis (Fourth Edition), 2013, pp. 1649–1666.
- Föger-Samwald O. et al., “Osteoporosis: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Options,” July 20, 2020, Vol. 19, pp. 1017–1037.
- International Osteoporosis Foundation, 2026, https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/patients#they-live-with-osteoporosis.
- Marcus R. et al., Book: Osteoporosis, Fourth Edition, Published 2013, https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/edited-volume/9780124158535/osteoporosis#editors.
Eleonora Roussou – Physical Therapist
