Osteoporosis treatments aim to prevent further bone loss, prevent fractures and in turn, reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Australia advises that management and treatment recommended by a doctor or health professional may include:

• lifestyle changes
• exercise and physical activity
• medications

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor may advise you to:

•  increase your calcium intake (either through diet or supplements)
• quit smoking
• decrease your alcohol intake
• increase your sun exposure or take vitamin D supplements

Exercise and physical activity

Being inactive may increase problems associated with osteoporosis. Exercising (along with adequate nutrition and, when required, medication) as being the best way to enhance bone health and prevent fractures.

The Exercise and Fracture Prevention – booklet (available to download, or in hard copy from our office) describes exercise guidelines and specific exercises that promote bone health.

Pain is likely to occur as a result of a fracture. This pain may be acute (short term, due to the fracture and likely to ease as the fracture heals) or chronic (long term, resulting from permanent changes to posture and spine). Chronic pain may necessitate pain management strategies.

Pain management options may include:

• medication
• heat and cold packs
• exercise
• massage
• physiotherapy
• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator)
• hydrotherapy
• acupuncture
• relaxation and/or meditation
• attending a Pain Clinic

Arthritis & Osteoporosis NT offers ‘Challenging Pain’ programs.  See ‘Our Services’ for more details.

If chronic pain is an issue for you, you might like to speak with your GP.

The Territory Integrated Pain Service (TIPS) located at Royal Darwin Hospital is for patients with persistent non-cancer pain lasting more than three months. A GP referral is necessary. For further information, phone TIPS on 8922 7672.

Chronic Pain Australia is an organisation that helps sufferers work towards supported self-management of chronic pain. They have an online discussion forum on their website www.chronicpain.org.au  which you may find helpful if you are unable to attend one of AONT’s Support Groups in Darwin or Palmerston.

Drug therapy

Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat your osteoporosis.

Some medication treatments have been shown to reduce the risk of fracture by between 30 – 70% but cannot reverse structural damage to bones.

Osteoporosis Australia website provides an overview of several types of medications that are used to treat osteoporosis.

• Alendronate (NPS)
• Bisphosphonates IV
• Bisphosphonates Oral
• Raloxifene
• Strontium
• Strontium for post menopausal women (NPS)
• Teriparatide
• Zoledronic Acid (NPS)

Care has been taken to ensure all the information is up-to-date. However, AONT recommends that you always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about medications.