Osteoporosis Center

At the Allegiance Osteoporosis Center you’ll find specially trained, compassionate staff that will skillfully diagnose and offer treatment options for osteoporosis. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and patient exam rooms for treatment, Allegiance Osteoporosis Center will also focus on patient education in the prevention of osteoporosis. It’s never too late—or too early—to take steps to keep your bones strong and healthy throughout life.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, meaning “porous bones,” is a condition affecting both men and women that causes your bones to become weak and brittle. A common result of osteoporosis is fractures. The exact cause of osteoporosis is unknown, but we know that the condition is related to a disruption in the bone remodeling process—when new bone is made and old bone is broken down.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Early on, you may not have any noticeable symptoms, but as the bones become weakened by osteoporosis, you may experience:

  • Back pain
  • Loss of height over time
  • A stooped posture
  • Fracture of the vertebra, wrist, hip or other bone

What are my risk factors?

Not all risk factors—such as your race or gender—are under your control, but there are a number of factors you can change to decrease your likelihood of developing osteoporosis.

Risk factors for osteoporosis you can change

  • Low calcium intake
  • Tobacco use
  • Eating disorders
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Long-term use of certain medications such as corticosteroids

Is there anything else I can do to prevent osteoporosis?

To decrease your likelihood of developing osteoporosis, it’s important to keep your bones healthy. These three factors will help:

  • Adequate amounts of calcium
  • Adequate amounts of vitamin D
  • Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing activities

Other measures that may help to prevent bone loss include not smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

Should I wait until I have symptoms before making an appointment?

Even if you feel “symptom-free”, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends a bone density test if you are:

  • A woman age 65 or over; a man older than 70
  • A postmenopausal woman, with at least one risk factor, or a postmenopausal woman who recently stopped hormone therapy or experienced early menopause
  • Over age 50 with a history of broken bone

How is osteoporosis diagnosed and treated?

The skilled team at the Allegiance Osteoporosis Center will start with a careful review of your medical history, followed by a screening test to measure your bone density.

Your treatment plan will be customized to help slow bone loss and maintain bone mass.

Options for treatment include:

  • Dietary modifications
  • Medications
  • Hormone therapy
  • Physical therapy

Our team will also review a number of lifestyle changes you may want to consider to relieve your symptoms and maintain your independence, if you have osteoporosis.

Thank you for choosing Allegiance Osteoporosis Center. We will be happy to discuss any of your concerns and answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to ask.

A physician referral is required.