As a result, many of us are not being offered treatment for potential osteoporosis with hospitals becoming “revolving doors” for patients with repeated fractures, according to a new Osteoporosis Australia report.
Osteoporosis is a disease where your bones deteriorate faster than they can repair themselves and affects around 1.2 million Australians.
The report found two-thirds of over-50s have poor bone health or osteoporosis, but many don’t know it, even when they have obvious risk factors or have already had a fracture.
As we reported here, once you hit 60, at least four in 10 women can have a fracture due to osteoporosis. For men, it’s two in 10.
And it’s putting a heavy burden on our health system.
Make the first break the last
Fractures in the 50-plus population are expected to cost $3.1 billion in this year alone, jumping to $21.9 billion over 10 years by 2022.
So what can you do if you think you could be at risk?
Take Osteoporosis Australia’s Know Your Bones test here to find out your risk and follow up with your doctor if recommended.
After all, breaking a bone can be a very different experience for an older person, involving hospital treatment, rehabilitation and often home care.
My grandmother suffered from osteoporosis and a fall in her 80’s left her with a full arm in plaster for three months and severely limited her activity.
Why not take action now?
