Osteoporosis and low bone mass effect 44 million men and women aged 50 and older. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become weak so that even mild stresses can cause a fracture, typically to the hips, spine and wrists. About half of people older than 50 years old will suffer an osteoporosis related fracture, also called a fragility fracture. People who sustain a fragility fracture have double the risk of suffering an additional fracture within the next two years, according to Justin Siebler, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon here. Osteoporosis can cause painful spinal fractures, called compression fractures, and can lead to what is referred to as “hunchback.” It can also be debilitating and even fatal.
Osteopenia
Osteopenia is condition in which a person has lost bone mass and is considered less serious than osteoporosis. As we grow older, our bones naturally become thinner. Everyone over the age of 30 has begun to lose bone mass. Some people with osteopenia may not necessarily have bone loss, but just lower bone density. Women are more likely to experience osteopenia than men and it may be a result of another disease or illness. Those could include an eating disorder, chemotherapy or exposure to radiation.
There are no symptoms of osteopenia. A doctor can make a diagnosis through a bone density test.
Come to Nebraska Medicine for Osteoporosis Treatment
We Can Match You Up with a Personalized Treatment Plan
Our osteoporosis specialists will help you get the right treatment to manage life changes and menopause, prevent further bone loss and in some cases, even strengthen weakened bones. Our osteoporosis specialists strive to make sure you receive the therapies most appropriate to help you reduce your fracture risk.
You Gain Access to the Newest Treatments
Through our involvement in osteoporosis studies, we hope to explore other known and possibly unknown causes of osteoporosis so that we can develop additional effective preventive and treatment measures for people with osteoporosis. Receiving care at Nebraska Medicine will give you access to the newest and most advanced treatments before they are widely known.
You're Seen by Bone Specialists who Treat Osteoporosis
Our Orthopaedic and Endocrine departments specialize in providing comprehensive bone care to these patients, including diagnosis, specialized treatment, therapy and education with the goal of supporting bone health, decreasing fracture risks, and accelerating healing, as well as preventing future fractures.
We Come to You, Virtually
We are steadily building up the number of clinics where our osteoporosis specialists can see you via telehealth. See a complete list of places we currently currently visit via telehealth, and learn more about how telehealth works.
Prevention of Additional Fractures
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease, because it has no signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs, which is why we strive to work with primary care and endocrinology doctors in order to build a treatment plan that prevents additional fractures. This helps decrease the risk of sustaining a second fracture considerably.