Why Post-menopausal women are prone to Fractures

 

Women in their late forties start experiencing menopausal symptoms.
It happens due to lack or absence of the Ovarian hormones in the body.
As Ovarian hormones also help regulate the Calcium homeostasis, and play important role in maintaining bone quality; a decline in their levels produces a decline in bone mineral density.

Thus an irreversible process starts which leads to more destruction of the bone tissue micro-structure----ultimately leading to Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis affects the whole skeletal system, however maximum damage is seen in the spine, hip joints and wrist.
Collapse fractures of the spine and the Colles' fracture at wrist, are the hallmarks of Osteoporotic fractures or Fragility fractures.

The incidence of such fractures may be significantly reduced by preventing/ treating Osteoporosis at an early stage.

High Heels and backache

Women using high heels often complain to be suffering from back pain. There is a definite co-relation in terms of the body mechanics.
When using high heels, the forefoot comes early in contact with the ground compared to the hindfoot. This causes abnormal stresses at multiple joints including the foot joints, ankle, knee and the lower spine.
Noe, the posture attained resembles that of a pregnant lady or an obese lady with protuberant abdomen.
This produces hyper-lordosis at the lower spine, and consequently the facet joints at the back of the vertebral column come under stress. This stress produces secondary degenerative changes in the facet joints, so called as Facet joint arthritis.
Similarly, the knee goes into Hyper-extension producing abnormal strain on the cruciate ligaments.
The ankle and foot also suffers excessive strain and presents as pain under the forefoot or at the front of ankle joint.
These changes may be prevented by reducing the duration of usage of such footwear, or by appropriate exercises to avoid damage.

Knee Arthroscopy

Knee Arthroscopy is a commonly performed procedure these days.

Advantages :
Minimal risk
Day care surgery
Key hole surgery
Better cosmesis

It is performed via two 1 cm incisions over both sides of the patellar tendon. One of the portals is used for the camera to look inside the joint, the second is used to introduce specialized instruments.

Common Knee disorders which can be succesfully treated with arthroscopy are
Meniscus tear
Loose body removal
Biopsy
Synovectomy
ACL Reconstruction

Knee Pain in Young Women

for queries, pl contact

Dr Anurag Awasthi  Orthopaedic Specialist, Sohna Road, Gurgaon 9718112112

Young women often complain about knee pain which limits their activity level and prevents them from engaging in competitive sports, aerobics and even dance classes.

They usually have pain when trying to stand up after sitting for a long time, or sometimes after squatting or cross leg sitting.

They are advised physiotherapy, to which some of them respond and others not.
The solution to the problem of knee pain lies in correct diagnosis !

A well described clinical entity often affecting young women and teenage girls is called as Chondromalacia patellae.
It develops due to micro damage to the cartilage lining inside the knee joint.

So, what do we do ??

Definitely, staying away from your favorite activities is not an answer.

Medical treatment for chondromalacia patellae is Chondro-protective drugs which are considered to help re-build the cartilage loss.
Glucosamine is one of the molecule, which is shown to show some benefit

Another, advice is to follow the physiotherapy exercises focussed in building the thigh and leg muscles; namely the Quadriceps and Hamstrings.

If, medical treatment fails, arthroscopy is an alternative option to treat the condition.