Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a common, serious condition that can thin and weaken your bones to such a degree that even minor incidents like sneezing, bumping into furniture or a fall can cause them to fracture easily.
It is called a “silent disease” because it usually goes unnoticed until you’ve suffer a fracture. The most common osteoporosis-related fractures occur in the in the spine, hip and wrist.
It takes a team to treat this complex condition. The care team at our Osteoporosis Center relies on its deep expertise across multiple specialties — including orthopedics, physical therapy, nutrition, endocrinology and radiology
Osteoporosis Symptoms
Symptoms of a vertebral (spinal bone) fracture associated with osteoporosis include:
- Back pain
- Loss of height
- Spine malformations (such as a stooped or hunched posture [kyphosis])
Diagnosis and Treatment
Osteoporosis is diagnosed through a combination of the following:
- An evaluation of your medical history
- A physical examination (including a measurement of your height and a spine evaluation)
- Bone densitometry (to measure your bone density)
Since bone loss is irreversible, osteoporosis treatment is meant to keep your condition from worsening. Your doctor may recommend the following to reduce your risk of fracture:
- Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
- Exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Limited alcohol and caffeine intake
- Osteoporosis medications
- Proper nutrition
In determining your osteoporosis treatment options, your doctor will consider factors such as:
- Your age
- You gender
- The severity of your bone loss
- Other existing health problems
- Your personal preference
Contact Us
To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, call the spine team at UM St. Joseph Medical Center at 410-337-4882. Meet our expert spine team.