Joseph Girouard Talks about Recognizing the Early Signs of Osteoporosis

1. Joseph Girouard Talks about Recognizing the Early Signs of Osteoporosis One of the most challenging things about osteoporosis is that it’s often considered a “silent disease” in its early stages, and you may not even realize that you have the condition until you suffer from a bone fracture or break, says Joseph Girouard, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who has been providing personalized, comprehensive orthopedic & rehabilitation care at his practice in Boston from the last fifteen years. However, there are some warning signs of osteoporosis which prompt you to consult a doctor, particularly if you are aged fifty and over, continues Girouard. Some of the early signs of osteoporosis include: A Stooped Posture or Progressive Loss of Height According to Joseph Girouard, a stooped back may occur as a result of multiple osteoporotic fractures in the spine, which can cause it to lose the normal curvature. As the vertebrae in the spine collapse, the back starts to hunch forward. As it develops gradually, people often fail to notice it. Sudden Back Pain Without any Obvious Causes In people suffering from osteoporosis, a vertebral fracture may occur spontaneously or due to something as small as bending over to tie a shoelace. Any adult experiencing a sudden, intense back pain for no obvious reason must investigate further as it could be a potential warning sign of vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis.

2. Fractures after a Minor Incident If you suffer a fracture after a sudden movement or slip on the pavement, you have weak bones & need immediate assessment and most likely a treatment for osteoporosis. Fractures after such minor incidents are however most common only in the elderly. Being alert, getting early assessment, & treatment, if needed, is the very first step of ensuring a healthy and active future – free of fractures, related disability, & loss of quality of life, says Joseph Girouard.