Bone Disorders

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is as disease state characterized by low bone mass, microarchitectural disruption, and skeletal fragility, resulting in decreased bone strength and an increased risk of fracture. More than 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a silent disease. There are typically no symptoms until a bone is broken, or one or more vertebrae collapse. Bones may become so fragile that fractures occur from minor falls or even spontaneously from normal stresses, such as bending, lifting or coughing. Patients who suffer from one fragility fracture are at high risk for similar fractures in the future if underlying osteoporosis is not treated. Early diagnosis and quantification of bone loss and fracture risk are to stop and reverse the progression of osteoporosis. Multiple FDA-approved options are available for treatment of osteoporosis, which can strengthen the bones and decrease risk of fractures. Proper treatment can decrease the risk of future fractures by 50-70%.

Osteopenia: Aging is associated with gradual bone loss, particularly among post-menopausal women. This state of low bone mass is called osteopenia. More than 40 million Americans suffer from osteopenia. There is a linear association between low bone density and high fracture risk.  A vast number of fractures occur among the elderly population with osteopenia who do not meet BMD criteria for osteoporosis on bone density testing. Patients with osteopenia should be assessed by a bone health professional to see if they are at high risk of fractures and would potentially benefit from pharmacologic treatment. Additionally, all osteopenia patients should receive education on their personal risk of fractures, benefits of exercise, fall prevention and risk of progression to osteoporosis.

Paget's Disease of Bone: Paget's disease of bone (PDB), which is also known as osteitis deformans, was first described by Sir James Paget more than 130 years ago. Paget's disease may involve a single bone (monostotic) or multiple bones (polyostotic).  Early stages of Paget's disease of bone are silent.  However, as bone becomes more malformed it can result in bone pain, bone deformity, fractures and osteoarthritis of adjacent joints.  Patient's disease of bone can also cause neurological and cardiovascular complications.  Rarely patient is suffering from previous disease of bone can developed bone cancer known as osteosarcoma.  Effective treatment of Paget's disease of bone is now available using bisphosphonate medications, of which zoledronic is most effective.  All patient's suspected of having Paget's disease of bone by an experienced bone health professional.

Other Metabolic Bone Diseases: Other metabolic bone disorders managed by bone health professionals include:
Osteomalacia
Rickets
Fibrous dysplasia of bone
Hyperparathyroidism associated metabolic bone disease.
Renal osteodystrophy
Hypophosphatasia
Osteogenesis imperfecta