What is osteoporosis? Advanced Orthopedics

What is Osteoporosis?

A disease characterized by low bone density and deterioration of the structure of the bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility and an increased risk for fractures (breaks).

What happens when I get osteoporosis?

You are at a significantly higher risk for fracture of your bones including your hip, vertebrae and wrist. In fact your risk of a hip fracture is greater than your chances of contracting breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined.

Take the Osteoporosis Score Test to learn your risk for osteoporosis.

Who is at risk for Osteoporosis?

History of a fracture only as an adult
Family history of adult fractures especially if it was your mother
Being a Caucasian
Being a Female
Long Term use of certain medications that can cause bone thinning such as:

· Oral steroids (over 7.5 mg/ day)

· Anti-seizure medications ( Dilantin)

· High doses of thyroid medications given over along period of time.

How do you Diagnose Osteoporosis?

The BEST way to diagnose osteoporosis is to have a bone density scan (DEXA) performed by a physician certified in bone mineral density testing. If you have any of the risk factors, you should have a baseline scan done. A scan can be repeated every two years to access your risk. This scan is entirely painless - it's similar to getting an x-ray.

Our new, state-of-the-art, DEXA scanner.

What are my Modifiable Risk Factors for Osteoporosis?

Quit Smoking

Read more about: reducing your risk of fracture.
Intake more Calcium (1,200-1,500 mg of calcium carbonate per day)
Intake more vitamin D (800 I.U.)
Reduce your use of alcohol
Increase your weight loading exercises such as walking, light weight lifting, or aerobics
Reduce your chances at a fall at home and work by following basic fall preventions.
If you are estrogen deficient such as having:

Menopause before age 45
Bilateral ovariectomy (a hysterectomy where both ovaries were taken)
Pre-menopausal amenorrhea over 1 year (your periods stop)

You should talk to your doctor about estrogen replacement therapy.

Where can I get more information?

Visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation web site at: http://www.nof.org/ , or call (810) 299-8550 to schedule an appointment for a personal consultation.

Click here to see our osteoporosis history form, which we request our new patients fill out prior to obtaining a scan.

Edward G. Loniewski, DO
International Society for Clinical Densitometry Certified
(517) 545-6699