Patient Information Resources


Orthopedic Services
Glendale Adventist Medical Center
1509 Wilson Terrace
Glendale, CA 91206
Ph: (818) 409-8000






Ankle
Elbow
Foot
Fractures
General
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Hip
Knee
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Shoulder
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My husband and I went to a health fair and had our bones tested for osteoporosis. We were surprised that his test result was actually much worse than mine! What do we do now?

See your family doctor or an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible. Most people think bone density loss leading to osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) is a woman's disease. But men can develop osteoporosis, too -- just later in life than women. And the effects can be just as devastating. Osteoporosis occurs when more bone cells die than are replaced by new, healthy bone cells. This process of tearing down old bone cells and building up new ones is called bone remodeling. Unfortunately, with age (and for women, a loss of the hormone estrogen), bone remodeling slows down or becomes lopsided with too many old cells and not enough new ones. Your physician will check for any hormonal abnormalities that can affect bone and prescribe medications that can restore a correct chemical balance. Usually some blood tests are needed to check this out. If your husband (or you!) are a candidate for one of the antiresorptive drugs called bisphosphonates like Boniva or Fosamax, then your doctor will prescribe those for you. Your doctor will also do a risk factor assessment to look for any other risk factors that might increase the chances for developing osteoporosis. A plan of vitamin and mineral supplementation along with exercise and lifestyle changes is important. Taking calcium with vitamin D, getting some sun exposure (an excellent source of vitamin D), and quitting smoking (or other tobacco use) is a good place to start. A lifestyle of daily exercise to challenge balance, build strength, and stimulate bone growth is essential all the days of our lives. A heel scan is a good place to start but your physician will likely want to measure your bone density using a more specialized X-ray test called Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA scan). Another useful test is the FRAX Risk Assessment Tool put out by the World Health Organization (WHO). This tool calculates your 10-year risk of fracture. You can even access this tool on-line yourself, but you'll need the results of your DXA scan to complete the calculations (http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX). These tests are recommended for women aged 65 and older, men 70 and older, and anyone over 50 who has significant risk factors for osteoporosis. Don't put off the decision to see your doctor. A fall leading to a fracture can be avoided with a simple but comprehensive prevention program. You should both get tested and begin taking steps toward improved bone health and falls prevention.

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