Whether we like it or not, it is no myth that aging causes physical changes in our body. Gone are the days when we can eat anything and everything without gaining a single ounce of fat or play hopscotch without losing our balance. With the elderly, a minor incident such as tripping can turn into a full blown broken ankle. So, let’s study the aging changes in bones, muscles and joints.
Bones – Bone mass or density decreases while calcium and other minerals are lost. Bones then become brittle and may break more easily. This loss of bone mass also causes loss of height because the trunk and spine shorten.
Joints – Joints are areas where bones come together and allow for movement. Bones do not directly contact each other. Instead, cartilage, membranes and fluid cushion them. The fluid is lost with aging and joints become stiffer and less flexible. This, in turn, makes the cartilage rub together and erode. This loss of the normal joint structure is a process called “degeneration”. Inflammation and pain usually accompany these changes.
Muscle – Loss of muscle tissue decreases lean body mass. Muscle fibers shrink and may be replaced by tough fibrous tissue. This leads to reduced muscle tone and contractility.
So, let us look at this picture:
An elderly person has stooped posture because of height loss from bone changes. His movement is slow and limited due to decreased joint flexibility accompanied by pain and inflammation. He would rather sit in his recliner because of the fatigue brought on by muscle weakness. He tries to get up but readily learns that the changes in posture, flexibility and strength make it quite difficult. As he starts to walk, his gait may be slow, unsteady and abnormal. He did not notice a pen on the floor and accidentally trips on it. With all of his limitations, he could not prevent his fall and landed on his left hip sustaining a broken hip.
The picture may seem grim for most of us, but in physical therapy, this scenario is so commonplace. It should not be if you keep your bones, muscles and joints in check. Do you think you are limber enough? Have good strength? Or have a high risk for falling?