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 Osteoporosis or porous bone is a chronic,

progressive metabolic bone disease
characterized by low bone mass and structural
deterioration of bone tissue, leading to
increased bone fragility.
 It’s the most common type of bone disease.

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Adolescents & young adults:
 List risk factors for osteoporosis
 Identify ca and vitamin D rich food
 Consume diet with adequate ca (1000-1300
mg/day) and vitamin D
 Engage in weight-bearing exercises daily
 Modify lifestyle choices: avoid smoking,
alcohol, caffeine & carbonated soft drinks

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Men:
 List risk factors associated with osteoporosis in man
including medications (corticosteroids, antiseizure MX)
chronic diseases and undiagnosed low testosterone levels
 Modify lifestyle choices: avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeine
& carbonated beverages
 Engage in weight–bearing exercises daily such as walking

 Consume diet with adequate ca (1000-1300 mg/d) & vit D

 Participate in screening for osteoporosis

 Talk with health care provider about use of medications

(alendronate) to enhance bone mass or to correct
testosterone deficiency
 Assess home environment for hazards contributing to falls

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Menopausal & postmenopausal women:
 List risk factors for osteoporosis
 Identify ca and vit D rich food
 Consume diet with adequate ca
(1000-1300 mg/day) and vit D
 Discuss ca supplements
 Engage in weight-bearing exercises at
least 3 times/week
 Engage in exercise that improve
balance to reduce the incidence of
falls
 Demonstrate good body mechanics
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Menopausal & postmenopausal women:
 Modify lifestyle choices: avoid smoking,
alcohol, caffeine & carbonated
beverages
 Discuss pharmacologic agent to
maintain and enhance bone mass
 Review concurrent medical conditions
and medications with health care
provider to identify that contribute to
bone mass loss
 Assess home environment for hazards
contributing to falls
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 Remove things that you can trip over
 Move furniture and electrical cords out of walking
paths
 Put rubber tips on walker or cane
 Keep the house well dry
 Put handrails on stairs
 Store household items on lower shelves
 Don’t try to carry too much things at the same
time
 Wear low-heeled shoes that fit well and give your
feet support

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 Don’t wear stocks without shoes on
smooth floors
 Install crab handles and nonskid mats
inside and outside the shower or tub
and near the toilet and sinks
 Use shower chairs and bath benches
 Get into tub or shower by putting the
strong leg first and get out of the tub
or shower with your strong leg first
 Ensure well-lighted staircases with
secure hand rails
 Grab bars in the bathroom
 Wear properly fitting footwear
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 Deficient knowledge about the osteoporotic
process and treatment regimen
 Acute pain R/T fracture and muscle spasm
 Risk for constipation R/T immobility or
development of ileus
 Risk for injury (additional fractures) R/T
osteoporosis

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Promoting understanding of Osteoporosis & the Treatment
Regimen:
 Adequate dietary or supplemental intake of calcium and
vitamin D, regular weight-bearing exercise & modification
of lifestyle (cessation of smoking and reduced use of
caffeine, carbonated soft drinks & alcohol) help maintain
bone mass
 Instruct patient to take calcium supplements with meals

 Teach patient to drink adequate fluids

 Bisphosphonates must be taken on an empty stomach with

a full glass of water, and then the patient must not
consume foods or liquids or assume a reclining position for
30 to 60 minutes
 Nasal calcitonin is administered daily, alternating the nares
to prevent nasal mucosal dryness
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Relieving pain:
 Bed rest in a supine or side-lying position several times
a day
 Mattress should be firm and nonsagging

 Knee flexion increases comfort by relaxing back muscles

 Intermittent local heat and back rubs

 Move trunk as a unit

 Avoid twisting

 Good posture & body mechanics

 Encourage the use of trunk orthosis (lumbosacral corset)

 Teach patient to resume activity gradually as pain

diminished

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Improving bowel elimination:
 Assess patient's intake, bowel sounds & bowel activity

 High-fiber diet, increased fluids & prescribed stool

softeners (if vertebral collapse involves T10-L2,
paralytic ileus may develop)

Preventing injury:
 Isometric exercises, walking, good body mechanics &
good posture
 Daily weight-bearing activity, preferably outdoors in
the sunshine
 Avoid sudden bending, jarring & strenuous lifting

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