M81.46: Drug-induced osteoporosis Lower leg

You have osteoporosis.

With osteoporosis, the bone tissue is less dense than usual. As a result, the affected bones are less strong and they break more easily.

Bones consist mainly of bone cells, certain proteins and various minerals. The minerals include calcium and phosphate, in particular. The bone tissue is constantly being broken down and built up again. This enables bones to adapt well to loading. There is usually a balance between the growth and breakdown of bone tissue. The female sex hormones affect the cycle, for example. They also affect the skin, hair and bone strength.

Certain medications can affect the balance between the building up and breaking down of bone tissue. These may be medications that affect the sex hormones or other messengers in the body. Other medications, too, can disrupt the balance if they are taken over a long period of time. These include certain drugs that act against excess gastric acid, for example. You have developed osteoporosis due to medication. As a result, bone tissue in your lower leg is less dense than usual.