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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is it normal to lose height if I have osteoporosis?

    Related Topic
    Osteoporosis & Bone Health
    I have already lost half an inch this past year! Is this normal? Anything I can do to prevent shrinking further?
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    Thanks

    Dr David Fairclough

    Osteopath

    It is normal to loose some height with osteoporosis.  The reason being mainly in the spine.  With osteoporosis there is a flattening of the chunky flat portion of the vertebrae known as the vertebral body.  This is due to compressive forces on these bodies while they are in a weaker state.  The bodies not only flattend but they are mishapen into a wedge which increases the kyphosis or hump part or the back between the shoulder blades.  This obviously decreases the height of the osteoporotic spine with 5 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar vertebrae even a fraction of shortening to each segment will give overall significant in height.

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