Bone Density/Osteoporosis
Our osteoporosis and bone health doctor at Sports Medicine North is the North Shore's recognized expert in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of patients' osteoporosis and bone health injuries and conditions.
Our bones are what make up the body’s foundation, keeping us moving and active. Because of this, it’s extremely important to keep our bones healthy and strong. This involves getting the proper nutrition your body needs, including enough calcium and Vitamin D, and having a regular exercise program. Osteoporosis, osteopenia, and other bone health injuries and conditions can affect our bones, which in turn, can affect our daily lives, preventing us from performing normal activities. One of the most common conditions contributing to the debilitation of the world’s population is osteoporosis. A silent, progressive disease, osteoporosis affects up to 28 million people and causes increased bone fragility. Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men, and one in three women will be affected with the disease at some point in their lifetime.
With increased bone weakness comes consequential fractures. The most common fractures caused by osteoporosis occur in the wrist, hip, and spine. Individuals are five times more likely to suffer either a hip or spine fracture if they have osteoporosis. Early detection is the key to the treatment of osteoporosis and the prevention of osteoporotic fractures. For this reason, the doctors of Sports Medicine North recommend a DEXA or bone density test, which is a safe and easy method to measure your bone mineral density (BMD) and determine your risk for osteoporosis.
When It's Time to See an Osteoporosis Doctor Near You
There are a number of risk factors correlated to osteoporosis. If you fall under any of these categories, it is recommended that you contact a physician to assess your individual risk and discuss the available osteoporosis treatment options:
- Smokers
- Those taking prednisone or oral steroids
- Those with a family history of osteoporosis
- Women over age 50
- Women who are on hormone medications
- Women who have had a hysterectomy
Our bone health specialist at Sports Medicine North strives to offer the highest level of care that helps restore function, reduce discomfort, provide relief, and prevent further injury from occurring. Our osteoporosis doctor’s training and knowledge is focused on providing you, our patient, with a unique treatment plan and getting you back to your healthy, active lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible. Our physician provides bone density studies for the diagnosis and treatment of your orthopedic conditions, as well as the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, including bone loss.
To consult with our osteoporosis doctor, please request an appointment online or call (978) 818-6350. We have three offices conveniently located in Peabody, Beverly, and Newburyport.
What to Expect When a DEXA/Bone Density Study is Ordered:
The bone density study most commonly recommended by doctors is a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) test. The DEXA test is similar to other X-ray tests, except that it is measuring the density of your bones. This 10- to 20-minute test is easy, quick, and painless. In order to prepare for your test, please following these instructions:
- Eat and drink as you normally would
- Do not take any calcium supplements 24 hours before the test
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing like sweatpants and a T-shirt
- Do not wear any metal, such as zippers, snaps, buttons, buckles, or jewelry
Your result will be measured as a "T-score," which your doctor will review with you during a follow-up visit.
Why Choose Sports Medicine North?
At Sports Medicine North, our fellowship-trained osteoporosis and bone health specialist, Clay D. Miller, M.D., has completed additional training focusing his education on obtaining the advanced skills and knowledge to specifically treat your bone health injury or condition. With this advanced training, he has the experience and expertise to assess, diagnose, and treat your injury or condition and return you to your active lifestyle.
Additionally, our licensed physical therapists at Physical Therapy North are committed to providing integrated, state-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy care and rehabilitation. They work closely with our specialist and take a team approach to develop a treatment plan that is specialized to your individual needs.
To consult with our Sports Medicine North osteoporosis and bone health doctor about your available treatment options, please request an appointment online or call (978) 818-6350.
