When it comes to a robotic joint replacements, women with osteoporosis that is severe might find themselves discussing this surgery with their doctor. It is important for all women getting close to menopause to learn more about osteoporosis and bone density since this condition is most common among this demographic.
What is Osteoporosis?
This is a condition that causes a drop in your bone density to cause brittle and weak bones. When your bones get overly weak or brittle, you have a much higher chance of bone injuries and fractures even with the most minor of falls or other traumas. The issue with reduced bone density is the result of your bones not rebuilding as fast as they did when you were younger, reducing their overall strength and size.
Since hormones play such a big role in the development of this condition, it is of particular concern for women who are finishing menopause. Your sex hormones play a major role in the overall strength and density of your bones. Once your complete menopause, your female hormones are lowered, resulting in your bones taking a hit. The hormone estrogen plays the biggest role in this and reduced estrogen is one of the primary risk factors for developing osteoporosis.
Exploring the Symptoms of Osteoporosis
When this condition is first starting to occur in your body, there is usually no symptoms. In fact, women might not notice they have a problem with their bone density until they fall and break a bone. Possible symptoms in the later stages once moderate to severe bone weakening has occurred can include:
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- Gradual loss of height
- Easy bone fractures
- Back pain
- Stooped posture
Diagnosing Osteoporosis
This is an easy condition to diagnose and all women over age 50 should have their bone density tested according to their doctor’s recommendation. Your doctor will recommend a special X-ray that can provide information on the overall density of your bones. The test is painless and does not take long.
Treatment Options
It is important to work toward improving your bone mass and there are a few options your doctor will discuss with you. The medications your doctor might recommend include:
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- Alendronate
- Zoledronic acid
- Ibandronate
- Risedronate
Your doctor might also recommend hormone therapy to replace the lost estrogen that likely played a role in you developing this condition. Your doctor will discuss the best form of this medication for you.
You can see that osteoporosis is important for all women to know about, but especially for those that are currently dealing with menopause. There are a number of treatments available to improve your bone density. However, in the most severe of cases, women might require robotic joint replacements to help restore their well-being.
Orthopedic & Sports Institute of the Fox Valley (OSI) is the first surgery center in northeast Wisconsin to offer Stryker’s Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Partial Knee, Total Hip and Total Knee replacement procedures. This latest advancement in robotic technology changes the way these surgeries are performed.
If you would like to request a consultation about robotic surgery, please call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online.
The Orthopedic & Sports Institute has convenient locations to serve you. In addition to the flagship facility in Appleton, you will find outreach clinics in New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location serving the Green Bay area, inside the NOVO Health Clinic in De Pere.