Many things change as we age. One area people often do not consider is their orthopedic health. From bones weakening to muscle leaning, these changes can alter how you participate in the world around you. However, sometimes we don’t know why these changes are happening. It can be hard to believe that these come from aging, but there is truth to it.
Today, our South Shore Orthopedics team explains how aging and orthopedic health connect. This comes with understanding the most common changes you can expect to encounter in your orthopedic health as you age.
Understanding Orthopedics As You Age
Loss of Bone
It sounds frightening to think about losing bone as you age. However, this is a natural process that everyone encounters at different rates. Bones are constantly changing throughout your life through “remodeling.” This balanced bone absorption and formation process goes at a different rate as you age. As formation slows down, bone loss occurs. The minerals in the bones also experience decreases as the bones become less dense and even fragile.
Oftentimes, this accompanies a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis makes the inside of your bone look similar to a honeycomb. This is due to the loss of bone density over time. If someone is experiencing this, their bones are significantly at risk of fracture or other injury. This is possible in almost every area because it affects bones throughout the skeletal system.
Aging Joints
Similar to bones, the joints in your body are constantly changing. As you age, this creates more restricted movement and flexibility due to the changes in both tendons and ligaments. Along with these changes, the cartilage used to cushion this area of the body deteriorates. This breakdown leads to joints becoming inflamed. This result is due to a lifetime of movement and life that the person in question has experienced over time.
Understanding what aging joints do is one thing, but there is also the need to understand what that can mean for your body. Joints are everywhere, from your elbow to your knee, and the aging of these areas can lead to intense pain. It also makes it easier for more severe injuries to occur in these places.
Spinal Disc Problems
Your spine’s health also changes as you age. The discs in your back begin to dry out, leading to no longer being able to cushion the bones. This can lead to the nerve roots or spinal cord getting pinched or put under pressure. This can even become a noticeable difference in your posture as you encounter disc changes.
This can lead to posture changes, and these changes primarily cause back pain. One of the most common complaints by adults seeking orthopedic health advice is this pain in the back. About 80% of adults experience back pain in their lives.
Muscles Shrink & Lose Mass
Even if you have remained fit and active your entire life, aging leads to shrinking and mass loss in your muscles. However, even though this is not a process you can prevent, remaining active and not in a sedentary lifestyle can help slow it. Along with a loss of mass, your muscles will actually lose fibers, making it take longer for muscles to respond. This is a gradual process occurring over the years as you age.
Aging is natural, and understanding it is essential. These changes to your orthopedic health can make more sense when you consider why they are happening. Do you find yourself wondering how your orthopedic health will change with aging? Our team is ready to provide you with resources and information. Check out our website or call us at (781) 337-5555 for more information.