[Osteoporosis of the elderly: therapeutic possibilities]

Treatment of patients with osteoporosis includes drugs to influence bone metabolism but also gymnastics for pain relief and in order to improve mobility in general. Fluorides (20 to 25 mg ions/day) are used in patients, where reduction in bone mass caused vertebral fractures. Their beneficial effects were proven in clinical studies; recent studies, however, did not confirm this. Calcium (1000 mg/day) and Vitamin D3 (3000 units/day) complete therapy. Calcitonins (3 x 100 units/week) are given to patients during progressioning fracturing and in painful disease. Diphosphonates have been used as experimental therapy, but they are still not available for general use.