Age-Related Bone Issues Experienced By The Elderly

by Michael Grey An expert orthopedic and chief medical researcher

As people age their bones, muscles and joints undergo a series of changes that affect their physical activities and style of living to a great extent. This article will discuss those issues in detail.

Several alternations in our body are inevitable after a certain age, like wrinkles and greying of hair. However, there is a wrong perception of the people regarding the changes age brings to our structural framework i.e. bones, muscles, and joints. This myth needs to be busted as it is completely wrong to say that these kinds of changes can’t be checked by humans. Researchers are of the opinion that less involvement in different kinds of physical activities is the primary reason for rising disabilities and bone disorders in elderly people.

Discussed below are some of the common bone and muscle-related conditions affecting the overall health of the aged population.

Osteoarthritis – Almost 7 out of 10 senior citizens are victims of this chronic joint disorder. The key symptoms are inflammation of the joints accompanied by stiffness, swollen knees, and continuous pain. Cartilages connecting the joints get damaged and break down, thus causing discomfort.

Osteomalacia - When the body experiences trouble during Vitamin D metabolism, the bones become fragile and vulnerable to fractures. This disorder is associated with Osteomalacia.

Osteoporosis – This is another bone disease that weakens the bone’s strength. It is mainly caused due to low bone mass or density which makes the bones brittle and breakable even by a slightest hit.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – This condition is also characterized by joint inflammation. When the immune system disrupts it’s musculoskeletal system and attacks cartilage tissues, it is diagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The weakening of the muscles – Any one of the conditions mentioned above can cause serious disability in muscle movements and weaken them.

Changes observed in bones due to aging

Bone is nothing but tissue and when we age these tissues undergo certain unfavorable alternations due to several factors like poor immunity and nutrient deficiency. This change lowers the bone mass thus making them weaker and vulnerable to fractures even from the slightest fall or bump.

Let's see what the key reasons are for reduced bone density in the elderly.

Inactive lifestyle for a longer period of time in the mid-20s and 30s.
Hormonal changes, especially women in their post-menopausal phases trigger bone mineral loss which can lead to Osteoporosis in the future.
When bones start losing calcium and other important minerals as a result of the side effects of any disease or drugs.

Changes observed in joints due to aging

The joints in our body do not come in contact with each other physically. Rather they are connected together by soft cushion-like tissues called cartilages. Besides cartilages, synovial membranes and synovial fluid are present inside the joints which enhance flexibility in movements. But as one ages, the fluid that acts as a lubricant in the joints falls and the cartilages wear and tear out which make the joints stiffer and movements less flexible.

As per studies done by Orthopedicians, most of the bone-related issues that occur to an aged man or woman are mainly due to lack of physical activities and exercises in their early life. Rigorous exercises sustain the fluid due to the stress caused by movement in the joints. Furthermore, joint immobility results in shrinkage of cartilages thus making your joints weak.

Michael Grey is a health advisor at Healthy Joints System, a reputed seller of joint and bone supplements. Their latest addition is the Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM joint supplement that contains substances like Glucosamine Chondroitin which are considered best for treating joint arthritis.