Case Study
Mrs. L is a 63-year-old woman who reports constant back pain. Further inquiry into her medical history revealed that over the past 3 years, she has suffered fractures of her femur and wrist after minor falls. She experienced menopause at age 49. Mrs. L has a secretarial job, drives to work, and she “does not have time for exercise.” She reports that she consumes 8 to 10 cups of coffee a day and has been a smoker most of her adult life. She has not seen her physician recently nor had a recommended bone density test because of the time and cost involved.
Questions
. Relate Mrs. L’s history to the diagnosis of osteoporosis. What risk factors are present,
and how does each predispose to decreased bone density?
. Explain the cause of pathological fractures in this patient.
. How could osteoporosis have been prevented in Mrs. L?
. Discuss the treatments available to the patient.
Case Study
Mrs. L is a 63-year-old woman who reports constant back pain. Further inquiry into her medical history revealed that over the past 3 years, she has suffered fractures of her femur and wrist after minor falls. She experienced menopause at age 49. Mrs. L has a secretarial job, drives to work, and she “does not have time for exercise.” She reports that she consumes 8 to 10 cups of coffee a day and has been a smoker most of her adult life. She has not seen her physician recently nor had a recommended bone density test because of the time and cost involved.
Questions
. Relate Mrs. L’s history to the diagnosis of osteoporosis. What risk factors are present,
and how does each predispose to decreased bone density?
. Explain the cause of pathological fractures in this patient.
. How could osteoporosis have been prevented in Mrs. L?
. Discuss the treatments available to the patient.