Non-pharmacological interventions.

The aim of non-pharmacological intervention for osteoporosis is to prevent, treat or alleviate the consequences of osteoporosis, the main one of which is fracture. Non-pharmacological interventions consist of a wide spectrum of treatment modalities to decrease pain, correct postural change, improve mobility, enable the patient to follow a normal social life and prevent (further) fracture. An exercise programme can increase bone mass in adolescents and adults, but in the elderly its main emphasis should be on improving muscle strength and balance in order to decrease the risk of falls. Physiotherapy is commonly prescribed to mobilize the patient after a fracture, to decrease muscle spasm and pain, and to improve balance and co-ordination. An orthesis or back support may be used to correct kyphosis and decrease pain. Medication for pain is often needed and should cover both acute severe pain following fracture and chronic pain caused by postural change. A hip fracture is the most severe consequence of osteoporosis. The risk of hip fracture can be decreased by pharmacological treatment to increase bone mass and bone strength. However, in the very elderly the occurrence of falling may be more important than the failure of bone strength. Hip protectors have recently become available and have been shown to decrease the risk of hip fracture after a fall. These shunt the energy from the trochanter away to the sides. Non-pharmacological approaches to treatment are often neglected in daily practice, the emphasis being instead on treatment with drugs that decrease bone resorption and thereby increase bone strength. Copyright 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.