Osteroporosis Information Sheet

Physician Information Osteoporosis and Patients with Disabilities

pictures of skeleton sections

Fact

  • People with physical disabilities are at higher risk for osteoporosis than other people.

Why Is This Information Important to My Patients?

  • Recent advances in medicine and health care allow people with disabilities to live longer.

    Now, people with disabilities face the same chronic conditions as the rest of the aging population, but often at an earlier age.

Why Are People with Disabilities at Higher Risk?

  • People with disabilities are at higher risk for osteoporosis because:
    • They are less likely to build and maintain bone mass through muscle strength and use, and weight-bearing activities.
    • They are less likely to build and maintain bone mass through muscle strength and use, and weight-bearing activities.
    • They are more likely to use medications that contribute to loss of bone mass (e. g., corticosteroids, seizure medications, prednisone, synthyroid, haldol).
    • They do not get sufficient physical activity.
    • Their genetic make-up may contribute to their risk.

What Do I Need to Know?

  • As a health care provider, you must be aware of your patients' increased risk for osteoporosis, and must be prepared to address the following issues:
    • People with physical disabilities can develop osteoporosis years before the standard recommended screening intervals. While no standards have been recommended, health care providers must look beyond the disability itself, and focus on the special conditions that often accompany a disability.
    • Fracture management, despite its difficulty, is essential as functional capabilities can change dramatically following a fracture.
    • It may be more difficult to prevent osteoporosis in people with disabilities because:
      • - nutrition planning can be complicated;
      • - lack of equipment and facilities can limit opportunities for physical activity;
      • - transportation barriers may impede access to facilities and services.
    • Bone density scanning equipment or the facility in which it is housed may not be accessible.
    • Care providers who do lifting and transferring need special training about osteoporosis and how to avoid injuring patients.
    • Little is known about drug interactions or drug effects of bone building supplements for individuals with physical disabilities.

Talk with your patients with disabilities about their need for increased dietary calcium. Also, provide patients with information on strategies to reduce their risk of fractures.

0961 - New York State Department of Health - 7/02