Overview

Osteoporosis Therapy

One in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will experience fractures related to osteoporosis at some point in their lives. To get screened for osteoporosis and reduce your risk of fractures, see the team of specialists at Gardner Orthopedics. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, the orthopedic team offers prevention and management of osteoporosis, including treatment for osteoporotic fractures. To schedule a visit and have your bone density checked, call or book online today.

Osteoporosis Q & A

Osteoporosis is the medical term for porous bone. Porous bone has fewer bone cells throughout its structure than normal bone, which reduces its density and makes your bones more fragile. With osteoporosis, your bones become weaker and less dense, which can lead to fractures. This typically happens throughout all the bones in your body as part of the aging process, though you may not know you have osteoporosis until you experience a fracture.

Osteoporosis is considered a normal part of aging, though it may occur sooner or more aggressively if you have certain risk factors. As people age, bone cells naturally break down and rebuild in processes called resorption and formation. When too much bone is resorbed — broken down — and your body can’t replace it quickly enough, you develop osteoporosis.

Protecting your bones through diet and exercise is one way to keep your bones strong throughout your lifetime. The team also provides different treatment options to slow the progression of bone loss, when necessary.

Certain lifestyle factors and health conditions can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis or developing it at a younger age. These factors include:

  • Poor diet, including malnutrition
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Dramatic weight loss or weight loss surgery
  • Autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
  • Certain types of cancer and cancer medications
  • Diabetes
  • Irregular periods and early menopause
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Chronic kidney disease

If you have any of these lifestyle factors or health conditions, discuss your concerns with the team and they can determine which tests and treatments are most beneficial for you.

Osteoporosis is diagnosed using bone mineral density (BMD) testing. There are a number of different types of BMD tests that can be used. These tests typically involve taking specialized X-rays of your spine, pelvis, hips, or limbs in order to measure your bone density.

Based on the data collected from BMD testing, the team determines the density of your bones and how mild or severe your osteoporosis is. With this information, they can educate you about treatment options to manage your condition.

Osteoporosis is managed through diet, lifestyle activities, and medications. Your treatment plan may include incorporating more calcium-rich foods into your diet, exercising more, completing a course of physical therapy, or taking daily prescription medications.

To schedule an osteoporosis exam, call Gardner Orthopedics or set up an appointment online now.

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