Treatment of Osteoporosis

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Patients seeking treatment of osteoporosis in the greater Boston area will find compassionate, state-of-the-art care at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH).

Osteoporosis is a disease in which patients suffer loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. The disease causes weakening of the bones and makes them more brittle and likely to break. Osteoporosis most often affects the hips, spine and wrists. More than 10 million Americans over the age of 50 are affected by osteoporosis, and women are four times more likely to develop the disease than men.

The Skeletal Health and Osteoporosis Center and Bone Density Unit at BWH provides a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of osteoporosis, working with specialists in orthopedics, women's health, rheumatology, oncology and pediatric endocrinology. Using the latest techniques for measuring bone density, the Center specializes in treatment of osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, and disorders in skeletal and calcium homeostasis.

In this video, Meryl LeBoff, MD, Director of Skeletal Health, Osteoporosis Center, and Bone Density Unit, discusses osteoporosis risks, steps that can be taken to reduce bone fractures, techniques for detecting osteoporosis and osteoporosis treatment. Read the Preventing, Diagnosing and Treating Osteoporosis video transcript.

Options for treatment of osteoporosis at BWH

Treatment of osteoporosis may involve medication to strengthen bones, such as alendronate (Fosamax®), risedronate (Actonel®), calcitonin (Micalcin®), and raloxifene (Evista®). Physicians will also recommend behavior to prevent further bone loss, such as:

Making sure that patients get adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium in their diet.
Avoiding smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine.
Including weight-bearing exercise like walking or aerobics into a fitness routine.
Getting regular bone density screenings.
Making sure that other medications are not contributing to bone loss.
Maintaining an appropriate body weight.
Preventing falls for elderly patients who may be prone to fractures.

The Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at BWH are consistently ranked among the top programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report®. With one of the largest and most experienced staffs in the country, the BWH team is dedicated to providing quality care, state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technologies to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate treatment of osteoporosis to every patient.

Patients at BWH may also see a rheumatologist about rheumatic diseases that include ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial lung disease, lupus, and osteoarthritis treatment.

Find a BWH doctor for osteoporosis treatment

To consult with a BWH doctor about treatment of osteoporosis, please call 1-800-294-9999 or fill out a request for an appointment online.

Learn more now about all of the comprehensive medical services at BWH, or use the Find a Doctor feature on the BWH website to search for physicians in a wide range of specialties. You may search for physicians by name, location, specialty, gender, and languages spoken. With this tool you can quickly find a doctor for Boston hand surgery, for example, or physicians specializing in anything from spinal stenosis treatment to weight loss surgery options and more.

Learn more about Treatment of Osteoporosis and other Orthopaedic and Rheumatic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Treatment of Osteoporosis

Options for treatment of osteoporosis at BWH

Find a BWH doctor for osteoporosis treatment

Find a Doctor

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Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity

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