Osteoporosis

Bone is made up of calcium and protein. Bone is continually changing. Old bone is removed and new bone is formed. After the age of 30, bone is broken down faster than it is made. In osteoporosis, bones become thin and brittle because more bone is lost.

More than 300,000 Americans older than 45 years are admitted to the hospital with hip fractures every year. Osteoporosis contributes to most of these injuries especially in women. The rate of hip fractures is two to three times higher in women than men. A woman's risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.

Please click here to read ACOG's article on Osteoporosis for detailed information on risk factors and prevention of osteoporosis.

For detection and treatment of osteoporosis, our physicians recommend a physical exam once a year to include a check of your height. We also recommend having a bone density scan of your hip and spine. These tests are used to assess the strength and mass of your bones. This test can help detect problems before a fracture occurs. It can also confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis, help determine the rate of bone loss, and monitor whether treatment is working.

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