Osteoporosis Care

What is osteoporosis, and why is care so important?

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones. It occurs when your body loses bone tissue, makes too little bone tissue, or both. This bone loss puts you at risk of breaking a bone even after a minor accident, and sometimes, a fracture is your first warning of osteoporosis.

Since fractures cause disability and loss of independence, the team is dedicated to preventing and treating osteoporosis.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed for proper care?

To diagnose osteoporosis, the team at Fort Worth’s Bone and Joint Clinic commonly orders a bone density test, also called a DEXA scan. This painless, low-dose X-ray measures how dense your bones are and compares them to healthy bone density levels.

Your provider will also review your medical and family history, assess your fracture risk, and may order blood tests to rule out other conditions. Because osteoporosis often has no symptoms, screening is essential, especially if you’re at higher risk.

Who needs osteoporosis care?

Osteoporosis can target anyone, but some people are at a higher risk and should be screened regularly and seek medical care. Make sure you’re protecting yourself from osteoporosis if you fit one or more of the following categories:

• Women over 50, especially after menopause
• Men over 70
• People with a family history of osteoporosis
• Individuals with low body weight
• Those who have had previous fractures
• People who take long-term steroids or certain medications
• Individuals with vitamin D or calcium deficiencies

If you’ve broken or fractured a bone after a minor fall, that’s a major warning sign to talk to your provider at Fort Worth’s Bone and Joint Clinic about osteoporosis care.

What goes into osteoporosis care?

Osteoporosis treatment focuses on strengthening bones and reducing your fracture risk. In addition to lifestyle changes and medication, your personalized care plan can include:

• Antiresorptive agents to slow bone loss and naturally increase your bone density
• Anabolic agents to enhance your body’s ability to build new bone tissue
• Estrogen hormone therapies to stimulate healthy bone growth

Ongoing monitoring is also necessary to track changes in bone density so that your provider can adjust treatment as needed.

If you’re concerned about your bone health or fall risk, call the nearest office to book an osteoporosis care consultation today. You can also use the convenient online scheduler to get started.