Osteoporosis and Aging Females

Abstract

Much inquiry regarding osteoporosis has emphasized women in the later stages of life because osteoporosis initially was conceptualized as a disease affecting postmenopausal and older women. While the majority of research has dealt with diagnostic techniques, pathophysiology, and drug treatment, research on prevention of osteoporosis and fractures and optimal rehabilitation after osteoporotic fractures is limited. The physical therapists' role in providing effective interventions that restore patients to full function after an osteoporotic fracture is obvious. This paper addresses osteoporosis in women during the perimenopausal years, the early postmenopausal years, young old age (ages 65 to 85 years), and old-old age (age 85 years and older).