Description

How do bones age?

Bone mass decreases with age, especially in women after they experience menopause.
Here are a few specific ways the bones change over time:

• Bones lose calcium and other minerals
• The trunk of the body becomes shorter
• Vertebrae lose mineral content
• Bone spurs may form on the vertebrae
• The foot arches become less pronounced, contributing to a slight loss of height.
• The long bones of the arms and legs are more brittle
• The joints become stiffer and less flexible
• The cartilage may begin to rub together and wear away. Minerals may deposit in and around some joints (calcification), especially around the shoulder.