Stages of Osteoporosis

• STAGE 1

The first stage of osteoporosis occurs around age thirty to thirty-five. Before this time, bones build faster than they remove, with the highest total between age twenty-five to thirty. Then during Stage 1, the removal of bone begins to equal the building of bone. Interestingly, if we could tell when Stage 1 occurs with this disease, we might then be able to halt the process of osteoporosis very early. We can’t tell this beginning stage of bone loss using today’s tests, but there are specific clues to tell if you may be at risk in the future. Once these clues are identified, you can make lifestyle changes to halt or slow the progression of the disease, even before symptoms are evident.

• STAGE 2

In the second stage of osteoporosis, usually after age thirty-five, overall bone mass decreases. Over a period of several years, the breakdown of bone continues at a much faster pace than the body builds bone. It is during this second stage that osteoporosis first becomes detectable with bone density tests. The bones may still be strong enough to prevent unusual fractures, and there are still no overt signs or symptoms to alert you to the possibility of the disease.

Simple and safe tests, such as DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), are available to discover osteoporosis in Stage 2. These tests are literally life saving measures as they can detect the disease years before a fracture occurs.

If it is detected at this early point, specific steps, including the use of bone-building medications, can be taken to slow or stop the disease. However, if Stage 2 continues undetected, the bones gradually grow thinner over the yeas until a break occurs. Because everyone with this disease is different, bone loss occurs at varying rates. This makes it even more important to find out your own bone density.

• STAGE 3

Stage 3 of osteoporosis usually happens after ages forty-five to fifty-five. Rate of bone loss varies from individual to individual, and some people even younger than forty-five can reach this stage. During this stage, bones become so thin they eventually break from stress which normally strong bones could withstand. Fractures that seem out of proportion to the injury are often due to Stage 3 osteoporosis. For example, a minor trip over a garden hose results in a fracture of the ankle in three places, or lifting a bag of groceries out of the car causes a fracture of the spine. Even the act of hugging someone with Stage 3 osteoporosis may cause a broken rib. Most cases of Stage 3 osteoporosis are diagnosed after the first fracture has occurred.

• STAGE 4

In stage 4 of osteoporosis, the fractures continue, the pain increases, and disability sets in. Deformities in the spine and other areas may become more obvious. There may be more difficulty getting around and doing daily activities because of the pain and stiffness. The good news is that this stage is becoming less common as treatment is available to prevent future fractures. Even at this stage, it is never too late to begin treatment.

If you or those you care about wait for signs or feelings of osteoporosis, then you will wait for painful, debilitating fractures. There are no other signs. By the time a fracture occurs and you are alerted to the disease, osteoporosis has been present for many years, slowly leaving your bones thin.

Fractures do not have to happen! The decades before a fracture occurs are the critical years when you can treat the disease and keep bones strong. It is never too late to try to prevent fractures, but the most important fracture to prevent is the first one. Books available with current information on osteoporosis can be found on the publications page.