What Can Cause Fractures, Cartilage Damage and Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is an age-related condition that increases a person's risk of bone fractures and damaged cartilage. Bone fractures are more serious as we age, because of slow healing. Surgical procedures are often required to correct the damage. Surgery is accompanied by complications that can cut short a person's life. Here you will learn about the causes of these age-related problems and how to prevent them.

• Most Common Osteoporosis Causes

Osteoporosis is by definition a reduction of bone density and flexibility. Other than more fragile bones, the symptoms can include curvature of the spine or a stooped back and other bone deformities. The pain of arthritis may also accompany the condition.

When we say there is a reduction of bone density, what we are actually talking about is a decrease in minerals. Minerals account for the density, thickness and strength of our bones. The condition is most common in post-menopausal women and is referred to as primary type 1 osteoporosis. Primary type 2 or senile osteoporosis is diagnosed when the patient's age is over 75. It is seen in both males and females, but women are twice as likely to experience the problem, regardless of their age.

• Other Osteoporosis Causes

Another type is referred to as secondary osteoporosis. It can occur at any age as a result of chronic medical problems or prolonged use of certain medications. For example, steroids can cause bone deterioration and reduced mineral density. An example of a chronic medical problem that causes the condition is anorexia nervosa. In the presence of nutritional deficiencies, the body will break down bone in order to get at the minerals stored in them.

• Fractures Causes

At any age, fractures can occur as the result of an injury. Pathological fractures occur as the result of a disease or condition like osteoporosis. Because the bones are weaker, they fracture more easily. A chalk stick fracture is one example. It can occur in the long bones of the arms or legs and runs in the same direction as the bone. A similar fracture can occur in the spinal vertebra and appear to collapse the entire spinal column. The causes vary depending on the underlying disease or condition.

• Cartilage Damage

Cartilage damage can occur as the result of wear and tear. Repetitive motions can cause the problem in specific joints of the body. For example, tennis players may experience the problem in their elbows. Runners may have the problem in their knees.

Cartilage is a form of flexible connective tissue, less rigid then bone, but less flexible than muscle. It is composed of collagen, elastin and other structural proteins. A lack of complete proteins or essential amino acids in the diet will inhibit the body's ability to create strong cartilage. Similarly, a lack of vitamin C can cause the formation of weak collagen, because the vitamin is a necessary cofactor for collagen production.

Chronic inflammation causes cartilage breakdown and is one of the few things that degrade collagen. So, inflammation is another cause.

Now that you have learned about the causes, you probably want to know what you can do to reduce your risk. You'll learn about how to prevent pathological fractures, cartilage damage and osteoporosis in my next article. And now please visit the Healthy Body Supplements website listed below for more important information on How to Prevent: Fractures, Cartilage Damage and Osteoporosis.