Osteoporosis is the most prevalent bone disease in adults in the United States.
Considering that about 10 million Americans have the disease and about 34 million are at risk for osteoporosis, orthopaedic surgeons frequently treat patients with fractures related to this disease. Osteoporosis is a silent disease that does not present symptoms until a bone fracture occurs. Current research suggests that orthopaedic surgeons can reduce the national hip fracture rate through simple screening and treatment of osteoporosis within their practice facility.

As we age, our bones slowly start to lose more bone than we form. In women, bone loss increases with menopause when estrogen levels decline sharply. Some men may experience testosterone deficiency, putting them at risk for developing the disease as well. One out of five patients diagnosed with osteoporosis are men.

The only test available to diagnose osteoporosis is the bone mineral density (BMD) test, which is also referred to as the DEXA scan (which stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). This test uses an extremely small amount of radiation to measure bone density in the spine, hip, or wrist. The value scores reported compare the bone density tested to that of an average young adult. The test results are reported in a number known as a T-score. Diagnosis and treatment plans are dependent on standardized T-scores values. The World Health Organization has established T-score classifications into normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. All treatment recommendations depend on into which of these categories your T-score falls.

Our professional goal at UOA is to identify those individuals at risk for a bone fracture by performing DEXA scans. To help determine if testing is appropriate for you, our Nurse Practitioner is available to discuss osteoporosis screenings along with any additional osteoporosis questions or concerns. For additional information, feel free to visit The National Osteoporosis Foundation website at http://www.nof.org.