As one grows older, orthopaedic problems become a regular occurrence. Consulting an orthopaedics doctor at the right time becomes very important.
The ageing and the biological changes to older adults’ bodies mean an increase in orthopaedic problems. These are more common in aged men, whereas more aged women report that they are suffering from the pain of joints. These problems do not suddenly appear. Instead, they develop slowly over time.
Following are the orthopaedic conditions one should be wary of:
Osteoarthritis
● 1 in 3 older adults is suffering from a condition called Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, typically affecting the body parts like hands, knees, fingers, spine, and ankle.
● It occurs when protective cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones wears down, causing inflammation of joints.
● Performing everyday activities becomes a challenge, especially those that require flexibility, fine motor dexterity, or significant movement.
● Although, a cure is not available for Osteoarthritis. In place of that, an orthopaedic physician can recommend treatments that would decrease pain and increase motion range.
Fractures in Body Parts
● The elderly do face a severe challenge of fractures. With the growing age of people, there is a decrease in the bone mineral density in the body, which is problematic, especially in the case of post-menopausal women.
● Decreasing mineral levels mean bones become weaker and more brittle. When the tendency of older adults to have unsteady balance and vision problems is combined with weaker and more brittle bones, the risk of fractures is increased.
● Increasing bone strength, which ultimately helps decrease the chances of fracturing a bone, can be done by training exercises requiring strength.
Dislocations
● The bones present in the joint may change positions from their original ones when a particular joint is dislocated.
● Those with dislocated a joint will have immediate and sudden pain, which would only decrease when the joint is moved back to its original place by an orthopaedics doctor. The doctor also makes sure that the healing process is properly undergone.
● The joint may not be moved for four weeks or longer to optimal outcomes.
Osteoporosis at Old Age
● When a person is at 30 years of age, bone mass peaks and slowly decreases. Older adults are hence at an increased risk of osteoporosis. It is a disease where bone density decreases, decreasing bone mass overall.
● New bones are continually made by the body also the old bone tissues are broken down. When this process cannot make up for the bone loss, brittle and weak bones increase.
Some other common orthopaedic conditions include ligaments sprain or strain/tear, post-surgical procedures, sports injuries, low back pain, neck pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis.
If there is some pain in the muscles, joints, or bones, one may follow some tips to prevent it, like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, stretching, wearing comfortable shoes, and getting regular check-ups. However, even after following the tips, if one still experiences pain, they must visit an orthopaedics doctor.
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