Why Taking Extra Care Of Bones, Joints After 30 Is Important For Women

So, when a woman hits 30, her body becomes prone to developing conditions that may hit this system. Being aware of this fact and maintaining frequent check-ups and imaging would help them in maintaining mobility, preventing fractures, and navigating a healthy life, writes Dr. Abhijit Sawant, Director and Senior Consultant Radiologist, Vcare Imaging and Diagnostic Centre, Mumbai.

Impact Of Hormones On a Woman’s Bones, Joints

As per Dr. Abhijit Sawant, the foundation of musculoskeletal health in women is directly associated with hormonal variations that begin in their thirties. “Estrogen helps to preserve bone density by managing the delicate balance between bone growth and bone breakdown. As women approach menopause, their estrogen levels start to drop substantially, and the condition remains the same for a few years before menstruation stops,” he explains.

This decline results in rapid bone loss, increasing the chances of fractures and difficult illnesses like osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, a disease in which bones weaken and are more likely to break, affects more women than men, adds Dr. Abhijit Sawant.

This makes early detection and monitoring essential, which is where musculoskeletal radiology, including CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs, plays a key role.

Impact of Early Detection of Conditions of Bones, Joints

Dr. Abhijit Sawant points out that detecting illnesses like osteoporosis or inflammatory arthritis in their early stages allows therapies that can reduce disease progression and avoid consequences. For women over 30, consider the following imaging timeline:

Ages 30-40: Baseline DEXA scan if risk factors are present (family history, low body weight, smoking, and certain drugs).

Ages 40-50: DEXA screening every 2-3 years, or annually if bone loss is discovered.

Post-Menopause: Annual DEXA scans and tailored imaging for specific complaints.

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What is DEXA Scanning?

“DEXA or Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry scans measure bone mineral density (BMD) and diagnose osteoporosis with high accuracy,” the healthcare specialist highlights, adding that these “specialised imaging tests” can diagnose bone loss even before a fracture takes place, enabling healthcare providers to apply preventative treatments.

“Early detection with DEXA scanning allows for prompt therapies such as dietary changes, calcium and vitamin D supplements, targeted medicines, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as required. These therapies can significantly reduce bone loss and fracture risk,” he adds.

3 Common Musculoskeletal Conditions in Women Over 30

Beyond bone density concerns, women in this age group are also easily affected by several musculoskeletal conditions that benefit from early imaging diagnosis:

Osteoarthritis (OA)

This degenerative joint condition becomes very common in women over 45, though early changes can be seen in the thirties. Musculoskeletal imaging, particularly X-rays, can detect joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and other symptoms of OA, particularly in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

This autoimmune disorder that causes joint inflammation primarily affects women aged 30 to 60. Advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and ultrasound can detect early inflammatory changes in the joints, allowing for timely treatment and avoiding irreparable joint damage.

Sacroiliitis

An inflammatory condition, sacroiliitis affects the sacroiliac joints, which connect the pelvis to the lower spine. Osteoarthritis, trauma, pregnancy, or infection are its usual causative factors. Imaging studies can identify such inflammation and structural changes in the sacroiliac joints and surrounding ligaments.

“If you are a woman over the age of 30, and you have risk factors such as a family history of osteoporosis, irregular menstrual cycles, or joint discomfort, talk to your doctor about musculoskeletal imaging. Early detection can provide peace of mind and, if necessary, enable proactive treatment to safeguard your long-term bone and joint health,” wraps up Dr. Abhijit Sawant.

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