Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, meaning “porous bone,” is a progressive disease that puts people at a much higher risk for unexpected broken bones, particularly if they have not yet been diagnosed. Over time, osteoporosis causes loss of bone mass and strength, and most individuals who have it can experience painful fractures of the hips, wrists or spine. When a person has osteoporosis, the creation of new bone is slower than the loss of the broken-down bone.

Osteoporosis at a Glance

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more likely to break from minor falls or everyday activities. It often develops without symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Osteoporosis symptoms include: Back pain, loss of height, a stooped posture or fractures after minor injuries.
Causes include: Aging, menopause, family history or long-term use of certain medications.
Often called a “silent disease,” osteoporosis may not cause symptoms until a bone breaks.
When to see an orthopedic specialist: If you have a suspected fracture, repeated fractures or symptoms affecting daily activities.

Do I Have Osteoporosis?

While osteoporosis affects people of all races, postmenopausal white and Asian women are at the highest risk. Other common risk factors include family history, body frame size, too much or too little of certain bodily hormones, dietary factors, long-term use of steroids and others. Osteoporosis is more common in people with medical issues such as IBS, celiac disease, cancer, lupus, myeloma, and rheumatoid arthritis. Certain bad habits can also increase your risk, such as a sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

There are typically minimal, if any, symptoms in the early stage of bone loss. More progressed osteoporosis symptoms may include:

Back pain
A gradual loss of height
Stooped posture
Brittle bones that fracture more easily than expected

Osteoporosis must be taken seriously, as approximately 50% of white women and 25% of white men older than age 50 will sustain bone fractures directly correlated to their osteoporosis. Another one-third of adults with low bone density are at risk of developing osteoporosis, including black men and women. These fractures are usually the result of a fall, but even simple household tasks can result in breaking a bone if the patient is significantly weakened by osteoporosis. Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.

Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

Your orthopedist will use a bone density scan which will measure the patient’s bone mineral density (BMD). It is most commonly performed using a low radiation dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (also known as a bone DEXA scan). During this test, you will lie on a padded table, and a scanner will pass over your body. Usually, these tests focus only on the hips and spine.

All women over the age of 65 are highly encouraged to have a bone density test, and men over 70 or younger men with risk factors should also consider having this test.

The following imaging scans may be necessary to determine if any bone fractures have occurred due to osteoporosis: X-ray, CT scan or an MRI of the spine.

Osteoporosis Treatment

The goal of osteoporosis treatment is to decrease pain, prevent the risk of breaking bones, and to minimize further bone degeneration. Orthopedist’s treatment recommendations for osteoporosis vary depending on the severity of your bone density loss. If your risk for a fracture isn’t high, treatment might include modifying your risk factors and observation instead of medication.

Bone-building medications may be recommended to patients to stimulate and then maintain new bone growth. Often, these injections are only effective for a year or two and then other treatment protocols must be used for further effective symptom relief.

Estrogen replacement therapy reduces bone loss, increases bone density, and can reduce the risk for breaking a hip or vertebra. There are many FDA-approved medications to choose from that can help to maintain women’s bone health post-menopause. include:

Hormone replacement therapy
Bisphosphonates
Calcitonin
RANK ligand inhibitor
Selective estrogen receptor modulations (SERMS)
Parathyroid hormone analog
Monoclonal antibodies

All of these medications differ but have the same goal: to increase and maintain bone density.

Your doctor will also make recommendations for lifestyle modifications to lower your risk of a fracture or injury. Rehabilitation may be necessary to decrease pain, prevent (further) fractures, and minimize future bone loss. Some of the suggestions your orthopedist will make include exercise programs, pain-management techniques, nutritional counseling to improve your calcium and vitamin D intake, and education on how to prevent falls – which may include giving you a prescription for a walker or other mobility-assistive device to help make you safer at home

Interested in osteoporosis treatment in Orange County? Contact us at Hoag Orthopedic Institute today at (949) 890-0464

Find a Spine Doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

Your first visit to Hoag Orthopedic Institute is a chance for you and your spine specialist to get a complete picture of your current back health and goals for recovery. You’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained back doctor who will listen to your concerns, review any prior imaging or test results, and ask detailed questions about your symptoms and lifestyle. A detailed physical exam may follow to assess your range of motion, strength, and nerve function.
Your back specialist may recommend advanced imaging or additional diagnostic tests available onsite. Together, you’ll discuss what’s causing your pain or mobility limitations and review both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. You’ll leave with a clear and personalized plan designed for your specific needs—and a team ready to support you through each step of your care.
You can connect with one of our qualified spine specialists to review your symptoms, discuss any existing test results, and explore your back treatment options. To schedule your appointment, simply call our scheduling team at (949) 890-0464 or complete the secure request form on our website.
We’ll connect you with the right back doctor for your needs and can help arrange imaging or records before your visit. From the start, you’ll have access to advanced diagnostics and the latest treatments—including the latest techniques for minimally invasive procedures—tailored to your condition and goals.
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our highly qualified physical therapists, back doctors, and spine surgeons work together to treat a broad range of spine conditions. These include addressing herniated discs, relieving spinal stenosis, and managing degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. Conservative treatments often include targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections to relieve nerve pain, or medications to reduce inflammation.
When surgery is your most effective option, our spine specialists perform procedures including spinal decompression to free compressed nerves, spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, and disc replacement to maintain mobility. Many operations are performed using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques, which combine advanced imaging with precise instrument control to protect surrounding tissues and support a smoother recovery. Our back specialists devise a custom spine plan for each patient, designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help them return to active, pain-free living.
Hoag Orthopedic Institute offers expert care from fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeons, back doctors, and spine specialists who are leaders in their field. Our team also utilizes advanced techniques such as robotic-assisted spine surgery—providing greater surgical planning, accuracy, steadier instrument control, and less disruption to healthy structures for a smoother recovery.
Exceptional technology and an excellent surgical outcome form just part of your experience with our specialized back care. Your orthopedic spine doctor will focus on your total well-being, creating a personalized treatment plan—surgical or non-surgical—to help you move without pain and regain function. From diagnosis through recovery, we’re committed to getting you back to the lifestyle you love, free from the limitations of back pain or dysfunction.

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