Immobilization Osteoporosis

Immobilization osteoporosis represents a wide spectrum of conditions and disorders. Bone loss due to immobilizing conditions is a consequence of reduction in mechanical load. The etiology and severity of the immobilizing condition, anatomical region, age, gender, genetic factors, and duration are a few considerations that determine the location, magnitude, and characteristics of the observed accelerated skeletal deterioration. After severe immobilization-related bone loss, risk of fracture is increased in the short-term, or if less severe, increased when associated with age-related bony changes. Currently, the interventions intended to maintain bone during immobilization are often not efficacious. Animal models of immobilization, including those of limb casting, tenotomy, hindlimb unweighting, peripheral nerve transection, and spinal cord injury, have afforded knowledge and insight into the cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes that occur with immobilization/disuse, and have provided potential strategies to implement in an attempt to reduce the bone loss related to reduction in load.