Osteopenia
Pronunciation: OS-tee-oh-PEE-nee-ah
A condition of decreased bone mineral density that precedes osteoporosis but is less severe than the diagnostic threshold.
Full Definition
Osteopenia represents a intermediate stage of bone loss characterized by bone mineral density between 1.0 and 2.5 standard deviations below normal young adult values. This condition indicates increased fracture risk compared to normal bone density but is less severe than osteoporosis. In rehabilitation settings, osteopenia influences exercise prescription by emphasizing weight-bearing activities and resistance training while maintaining awareness of fracture risk during higher-impact activities.
Usage
Usage note: Represents the stage between normal bone density and osteoporosis; T-score between -1.0 and -2.5.
In Context
- "The patient's osteopenia diagnosis prompted inclusion of progressive weight-bearing exercises in the rehabilitation program." — exercise prescription rationale
- "Osteopenia findings on DEXA scan influenced the selection of low-impact versus high-impact activities." — activity modification planning