Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinic

At OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, we are committed to providing excellence in patient-centered orthopedic care. That’s why we proudly offer our Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinic so that you can get the exceptional bone care you need and deserve.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can affect both men and women. It occurs when your body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both.

Why Is It Important?

Around 50% of women and 20% of men will break a bone from osteoporosis. Bone loss is a painless event and is usually not found until the first fracture has been identified. Oftentimes, these fractures occur from ground-level falls or even without any injury at all. Commonly broken bones from osteoporosis are the hip, spine, and wrist.

How Is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?

Osteoporosis can be diagnosed in the following ways:

  • A fragility fracture is diagnosed (a broken bone from a ground-level fall)
  • Poor bone quality is noted from a medical provider
  • A bone mineral density test (DEXA scan) is taken

What Are the Risk Factors for Osteoporosis?

Some of the factors associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis include the following:

  • Over the age of 50
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Low body mass (BMI)
  • Smoking and/or alcohol use
  • Medications, such as long-term use of steroid or acid reflux medication
  • Low estrogen or testosterone
  • Poor diet
  • Chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, kidney disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders
  • GI conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, etc.
  • GI surgeries, such as gastric bypass surgery

What Can You Do?

If you have osteoporosis or are at risk for osteoporosis, you can do the following:

  • Take vitamin supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D
  • Exercise 30 minutes per day most days of the week
  • Take fall prevention precautions
  • Make lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation
  • Take medication to slow/stop bone loss

At our Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinic, Tonie Love, P.A.-C., A.T.C., develops customized treatment plans to reduce the overall fracture risk in patients. There are options available to decrease bone loss, speed up bone growth, prevent future fractures, and decrease the susceptible cycle of the most common bone disease in humans. 

To learn more about our Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinic or to schedule a consultation, please call (205) 228-7600.