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Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis services offered in Edina and Burnsville, MN

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and can break more easily. Breaking a bone is serious, especially when you’re older. Some women with Osteoporosis lose height and become shorter, which can affect posture, causing a stoop or hunch. At Southdale ObGyn, the experts specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating Osteoporosis. Call either Edina or Burnsville, Minnesota office to schedule an evaluation or request an appointment online today.

Osteoporosis Q & A

When should you get tested for Osteoporosis?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends all women ages 65 and older have a bone mineral density test. Some women under age 65 may qualify for a bone mineral density test depending on certain risk factors.

What tests are run for Osteoporosis? 

The team at Southdale ObGyn may test you for Osteoporosis using:

Bone density test

A bone mineral density test measures the density of several bones throughout the body. The team can use it to diagnose Osteoporosis, a disorder characterized by fragile bones and more likely to break.

For women of all ages, calcium, Vitamin D, and exercise are critical to building and sustaining solid bones.

Early recognition

You can’t feel your bones becoming weaker, but you could have Osteoporosis or be at risk for it. Fortunately, a bone mineral density test can tell if you have Osteoporosis before these symptoms, making it possible to treat the disease early.

FRAX Assessment

If your bone density test shows that you have low bone density (osteopenia), the fracture risk assessment tool called FRAX® can help estimate your chances of breaking bones within the next ten years.

FRAX uses information about bone density and other risk factors for breaking bones to estimate your fracture risk, making it easier to decide whether you might benefit from medicine. You will receive a copy of your bone density testing and FRAX for your records. After reviewing the results, the team can develop a plan to protect your bones.

DEXA scan

The most common test for measuring bone mineral density is Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). It helps estimate the density of your bones and your chances of breaking them.

Southdale ObGyn refers out for all DEXA.

Why is a DEXA scan recommended?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends a bone density test of the hip and spine by a central DXA machine to diagnose Osteoporosis. This is the only test to detect the disease before a broken bone occurs.

Call either Southdale ObGyn office to learn more about the risk factors for Osteoporosis, how to prevent it, and if a bone mineral density test is right for you. Or request an appointment online at your earliest convenience.