October 20 is World Osteoporosis Day. On the mainland, the prevalence of osteoporosis continues to rise as the population ages. Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures and can also affect the implementation of some orthopedic surgeries, making it a major obstacle to recovery.
Seventy-five-year-old Grandma Wang came to the Department of Orthopedics of Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital three months ago for treatment due to low back pain and thigh pain in her right lower limb and limited walking distance. Through examination, the doctor diagnosed that he had problems such as lumbar spondylolisthesis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and lumbar disc herniation, and needed lumbar spinal fusion. However, during the examination, it was found that Grandma Wang had obvious osteoporosis and could not undergo surgery. "I went here for a bone density test and said I was not qualified for this index." Grandma Wang recalled that it should be caused by her usual very little exercise and not basking in the sun.
"The bones are loose, the nails are driven in, and the nails can't be eaten at all. She has a herniated disc and a spondylolisthesis, and the stability of the nail has a lot to do with her recovery. Yang Weijie, head of the osteoporosis clinic at Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, said, "So we did a minimally invasive surgery to relieve part of the patient's pain, and then gave her anti-osteoporosis treatment." ”
After 3 months of anti-osteoporosis treatment, Grandma Wang returned to the hospital for a follow-up, and her bone density improved significantly, meeting the surgical standard. Recently, the lumbar fusion surgery was successfully implemented, and three days after the operation, Grandma Wang was able to turn over, get off the ground, move on her own, and be discharged from the hospital in a few days. The doctor told Grandma Wang that she should continue to pay attention to her bone density after being discharged from the hospital.
"Many elderly people don't care about their osteoporosis, and when they have lumbar spine diseases, severe leg pain, and low back pain, they want to go under surgery and find osteoporosis, and there is no condition for surgery, which delays the time for treatment. Therefore, we usually remind the elderly to pay attention to their osteoporosis. Yang Weijie said.
The doctor reminds that after the age of 40, you will enter the period of bone loss, and you should pay attention to the prevention of osteoporosis. In life, we should pay attention to the supplement of various nutrients, do not be picky or picky, and eat more foods with high calcium and phosphorus content, such as milk, shrimp skin, fish, etc. You should also participate in outdoor activities reasonably according to your own situation, such as running, climbing, swimming, etc., and spend more time in the sun. For high-risk groups of osteoporosis, including the elderly, menopausal women, and patients with hyperthyroidism, it is recommended to do a bone density test once a year as the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Reporter: Wu Huixiong
Editor: Ning Pingying
Proofreading: Geng Jieyu