Are you at risk for Osteoporosis?
The Bone Health Clinic at New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center provides bone health evaluation, treatment and education. Our goal is to reduce your risk of future fractures. If you are over 50 years old and have a history of hip, spine, or wrist fracture a bone health evaluation is recommended.
There are a variety of factors that put you at risk for developing osteoporosis.
Controllable Risk Factors
- Calcium and vitamin D intake
- Too much caffeine intake
- Having an inactive lifestyle
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Losing weight
- Some medications and disease can cause bone loss and increase risk
Uncontrollable Risk Factors
- Female or male over age 50
- Post menopausal
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Low body weight
- History of broken bones or height loss
Why Have a Bone Health Evaluation?
Your doctor may recommend a bone health evaluation if you have a history of a fragility fracture. A fragility fracture occurs as result of a low impact fall from a standing height or less. Healthy bone should be able to withstand the forces of a standing height fall without a fracture occurring. When a fragility fracture occurs a bone health evaluation is recommended to screen for underlying causes of the fracture. Our bone health specialist, Dagan Cloutier PA-C, will help your doctor determine treatments that can improve the strength of your bones. With appropriate treatments your risk of future fracture can be reduced by up to 50 percent!
Prior to your bone health evaluation you will be asked to have a bone mineral density test called a DXA scan. The DXA scan will be performed at your hospital of choice. Please let your doctor know if you have had a DXA scan within the past two years as you may not need to repeat the study. Our pre-certification department will make sure the DXA scan is covered by your insurance prior to being scheduled. Please be aware this process may take 7-10 business days to obtain approval. Once authorization has been secured we will contact you directly to coordinate your DXA scan and Bone Health Appointment.
DXA Scan
The most widely used test for measuring bone density is a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. A DXA scan is a painless test that takes less than 15 minutes to perform. DXA scan results will help your doctor determine bone strength as well as help predict your risk of future fracture. If you have a history of hip or spine surgery please let your provider know before your DXA scan is ordered. Additional information can be found in the brochure you will receive before your DXA scan is scheduled.
What to Expect at Your Bone Health Evaluation
Your bone health evaluation will be scheduled with our bone health specialist Dagan Cloutier, PA-C. Dagan is a physician assistant who has had advanced training in conditions that may weaken your bone including diagnosing and treating osteoporosis. Your bone health evaluation will include a review of your medical history and DXA results to help identify the underlying cause of your fracture. Further workup, including laboratory tests, may be ordered in patients with low bone density and osteoporosis. Dagan will discuss several steps you can take to improve your bone density and make your bones stronger. Discussion will include the importance of exercise, fall prevention, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and medications that reduce your risk of future fractures.