Bone and Joint Care

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Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weak and fragile. This results in brittle bones with an increased risk of breaking even after a minor fall or bump. This condition has no outward symptoms so many may not know they are suffering from osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture. Around the world, approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men above the age of 50 will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis.

Throughout our lifetime, bone is constantly being renewed, with new bone replacing the old to keep our skeleton strong. However, for people with osteoporoisis, old bone is not replaced with new ones which results in bones gradually becoming more brittle and prone to breaking.

Early stages of osteoporosis typically have no symptoms. Once your bones have been weakened by bone loss, you may experience signs and symptoms such as back pains caused by a spine fracture, loss of height over time, stooped posture, brittle bones that break more easily.

Being aware of osteoporosis and its risk factors can help make sure that you get a diagnosis and get treated as soon as possible.

Risk Factors

Age: Your risk of developing osteoporosis increases as you age, with about ¾ of fractures happening to people aged 65 or older.
Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to men.
Family History: If you have a blood relative with osteoporosis, your risk of developing it increases.
Pre-existing Conditions: Some disease may weaken your bones and increase your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Some of these diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, endocrine disorders, chronic kidney disease and cancers.
Excessive Alcohol Intake: Drinking more than two glasses of alcohol a day increases your risk of a fracture.
Smoking: Smoking doubles your risk of hip fractures compared to the risk in non-smokers.
Poor Nutrition: A diet rich in calcium, protein, fruits and vegetables benefits your bone health and reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Vitamin D aids in absorption of calcium, hence low levels of vitamin D, particularly among elderlies who do not go outside, have been linked to a higher risk of osteoporosis.

Prevention

There are steps you can take to maintain healthy bones and avoid premature bone loss. These steps include:

Eating a healthy diet which includes enough calcium and protein, two key nutrients for better bone health
Ensure you get enough vitamin D from sun exposure or through your diet with foods like eggs, mushrooms or oily fishes.
Stay active and exercising regularly
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
Be aware of any osteoporosis risk factors you may have and get an early diagnosis and treatment in necessary.

The Comprehensive Fall Prevention Guide for Seniors with Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis

Ageing is often accompanied by an increased risk for various health conditions, among which osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are particularly common. We discussed with rheumatologist Dr. Anita Lim how to detect, prevent, and manage osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Read the story

Understanding Bone & Joint Care: Your Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support

Move well. Feel well. Caring together for your bones and joints means taking care of your range of movements and the quality of life you want. From exercise and nutrition, to attending to injuries and long- and short-term conditions, moving well can influence your daily routines, work and play.

Empowering Yourself with Knowledge

This resource provides information about cancer, including:

Importance of Bone & Joint Care: Understand the importance of maintaining your bone and joint health.
Common Orthopedic Conditions: Learn about the different types of common orthopedic conditions and their characteristics.
Key Risk Factors: Explore various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that may leave you susceptible to orthopedic conditions.
Ways to Improve Bone & Joint Care: Learn about lifestyle factors and preventive measures to minimize your risk of orthopedic conditions.

What is Bone & Joint Care?

Bone and joint care focuses on maintaining the health and function of your musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. It involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect these structures, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, sprains, and strains. Good bone and joint health is essential for mobility, independence, and overall quality of life.

Importance of Bone & Joint Care

Mobility & independence: Healthy bones and joints allow you to move freely and perform daily activities without pain or limitations.
Pain prevention: Bone and joint problems can cause chronic pain that affects your ability to work, sleep, and enjoy life.

What Causes Orthopedic Conditions?

Heart disease is caused by a complex interplay of factors, including:

Non-Modifiable Factors: Age, gender, ethnicity family history, and inherited genetic mutations.
Modifiable Factors:
- Lifestyle: Diet, occupation, sports and physical activities, and poor posture.
- Health: Obesity, Prior injuries

Symptoms of Orthopedic Conditions

Symptoms of orthopedic conditions may vary depending on the type of orthopedic conditions. However, some general signs and symptoms include:

Pain in the affected segment of the bone or joint
Swelling and Redness
Joint stiffness
Limited range of movement
Numbness, tingling or weakness

Important Note: These symptoms may also be indicative of other health conditions. Speak to our Specialists today for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Common Orthopedic Conditions in Singapore

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage, the smooth tissue that cushions the ends of bones in joints.
Fractures happen when there is a break in a bone, which can be caused by trauma or osteoporosis.
Sprains & Strains, are stretches or tears of a ligament (sprain) and stretches or tears of a muscle or tendon (strain).
Back Pain can be caused by various factors, including muscle strains, ligament sprains, disc herniation, and spinal stenosis.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happen when the median nerve, which runs through the wrist, is compressed.
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that typically develops during adolescence.

Orthopedic Treatment Goals

Relieve pain to reduce discomfort and improve daily functioning
Restore and maintain function to help patients return to normal activities
Slow disease progression, especially in chronic conditions

Improving Bone & Joint Health

Here are some helpful ways to improve your bone & joint health:

Eat a heart-healthy diet with an emphasis on calcium-rich food such as dairy-products and leafy green vegetables.
Get enough vitamin D which is essential for calcium absorption. You can do so by getting sufficient sunlight or from fortified foods and supplements.
Engage in regular physical activities by doing weight-bearing exercises such as jogging or stair climbing, muscle-strengthening exercises which build muscle mass and flexibility exercises such as yoga and stretching.
Practice good posture, avoid slouching and maintain proper posture while sitting and standing.
Manage existing medical conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis through medication and lifestyle changes.

Mobility

Enjoy the right form of exercise at your preferred pace. Listen to your body and improve your everyday mobility with the movement solutions that suit you.

Learn about fall prevention in the elderly, hip and knee joint replacement, and nutrition information from our medical and allied health specialists.

Care

Get tips and takeaways for the benefit of your daily routines and activities from our orthopedic and allied health specialists for various conditions and treatment options.

Learn about conditions relating to shoulder and elbow, neck, back and spine, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, geriatric care, and sports injuries. Helping you with individualized care.