What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis occurs when bones become abnormally porous. In other words, the density and quality of bones are reduced, resulting in pain or discomfort. Your risk of fracture is greatly increased due to the fragile and porous nature of the bone. In most cases, osteoporosis is not diagnosed until the first fracture. With proper care from our rheumatologist in Manhattan at New York Integrated Rheumatology, we can develop a plan that works for you.

Causes

New bone is consistently made as old bone breaks down. As a child, your body creates new bone faster than old bone is broken down leading to increased bone mass. The main cause of osteoporosis is due to a lack of stored bone mass, as this process begins to slow as we age.  Some contributing factors such as age, sex, and race cannot be changed, but you can decrease your chances of osteoporosis by maintaining a balanced diet and staying active.

Symptoms

If you are suffering from osteoporosis then you may experience some symptoms:

• Dull pain in bones or muscles
• Sharp pain with movement
• Loss of height
• Broken or fractured bone not resulting from a fall

If you have any of these symptoms, contact our rheumatologist in Manhattan so we can evaluate your symptoms and advise treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatment will vary depending on age and the severity of your condition. Common treatment practices include:

• Medications - Bisphosphonates are the most common form of drug used to treat osteoporosis. Another option is Denosumab which comes as an injection every six months. This helps slow bone breakdown and maintain bone density.
• Hormone therapy - This includes estrogen and progesterone. It is typically given as patches or tablets to be taken once or twice per week.
• Physical activity - Exercise can help strengthen bone and reduce the risk of a fracture. The most common physical activities advised are strength training and low-impact aerobics.

Contact our rheumatologist in Manhattan today to begin treatment.

How We Can Help You

At New York Integrated Rheumatology, we can aid in your recovery by utilizing every method possible. We specialize in current conventional therapies alongside neuropathic treatments. This will aid in the restoration of function and stop any further damage from occurring. If you suffer from or believe you could have osteoporosis, contact our rheumatologist in Manhattan today!