Our Services / Osteoporosis

Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. At Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics (MBO), with offices in Hamilton, Lawrenceville, Princeton, and Marlton, New Jersey, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania, the orthopaedic specialists offer complete care for osteoporosis. The practice’s Bone Health Program offers diagnostic and preventative care to help maintain your bone health. To learn more, call MBO or schedule an appointment online today.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a progressive condition that causes porous, brittle bones. As the disease advances, bones become weaker and increasingly vulnerable to fractures. Many physicians call osteoporosis a silent disease because many individuals don’t realize they have it until they break a bone.

The earlier you seek treatment for osteoporosis, the more likely you are to preserve your bone health. Once the disease progresses, any small movement — coughing, sneezing, bending at an awkward angle — can cause bone breaks.

What are the signs of osteoporosis?

Early-stage osteoporosis typically causes no symptoms. Over time, however, osteoporosis symptoms may include:

• Bones that fracture easily
• Loss of height
• Hunched posture
• Back pain

While osteoporosis can cause bone breaks anywhere in the body, breaks most often occur in the hips, spine, and wrist.

What causes osteoporosis?

Bone is a type of hard tissue that constantly replenishes itself. As old bone breaks down, new tissue takes its place. Osteoporosis develops when the new bone doesn’t replace old bone quickly enough, causing pores to grow in the tissue. Over time, porous bones become brittle and vulnerable to fractures.

The most common risk factors for osteoporosis include:

Age

Your bones reach peak mass by age 30, at which point your body starts to lose bone faster than new bone develops. While osteoporosis can occur at any age, the older you are, the more likely it is to develop.

Sex

Women are far more likely to have osteoporosis than men, mostly due to their smaller body frames and less dense bone tissue.

Family history

Osteoporosis tends to run in families, so you’re more likely to develop the disease if a close relative also has it.

Weight

Low-weight individuals are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, particularly if you also have low levels of calcium and vitamin D.

Hormone imbalance

Whether you have a thyroid problem, such as hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), or low levels of estrogen during menopause, a hormone imbalance can increase your risk of osteoporosis.

How can I prevent osteoporosis?

The first step in determining your risk for osteoporosis is performing a bone density scan. If the orthopaedic specialists at Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics identify early signs of osteoporosis, their Bone Health Program can help slow the disease’s progression through:

• Calcium and vitamin D supplements
• Regular exercise to protect your bone health
• Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption
• Quitting smoking
• Following a healthy diet

If necessary, your physicians may also prescribe medication to prevent bone fractures. To learn more about osteoporosis, call Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics or schedule an appointment online today.