Deborah, a 75 year-old woman, stumbled slightly while walking, then felt a terrible pain in her left hip. At the hospital, x-ray images revealed that the hip was broken. Also the compact and spongy bone throughout her spine was very thin. What was her probable condition? What treatment will she be given? Are there preventative tests that could have been done earlier?

The probable condition is osteoporosis.

Explanation:

Osteoporosis is a condition where there is a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and leading to fragile bones. This condition weakens the bone and results in frequent fractures in bones.

Treatment:

1. Medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength.

2. Medications that increase bone formation.

3. Lifestyle change such as quitting smoking cigarette, excessive alcohol

4. Assuring adequate exercise

5. Adequate in take of calcium and vitamin D.

Preventive tests:

1. Skeletal survey

2. Checking elevated level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood

3. Checking level of calcium, phosphate and amino transferase in elderly ones.

4. Bone scans.