Answer :
Final answer:
A patient joking about being shorter suggests osteoporosis, which causes height loss due to spinal compression fractures. It is a prevalent skeletal disorder, diagnosed through bone density tests and associated with various risk factors.The correct answer is option 2) Osteoporosis.
Explanation:
When a patient jokes about being shorter than they used to be, it can be a sign of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by decreased bone mass and increased risk of fractures.
Osteoporosis leads to structural deformities in the spine, such as kyphosis, also known as dowager's hump, which is associated with compression fractures of the thoracic vertebrae. This can result in a noticeable loss of height over time. Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal system disorders and is often diagnosed through bone density measurement (DEXA scan). Risk factors include aging, hormonal changes, inadequate calcium intake, and a sedentary lifestyle.
