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department of Medicine

Section of rheumatology

Clinical Services

 

Center for Osteoporosis

 

What is Osteoporosis?

 

Osteoporosis is a disease of bone fragility.  If not prevented or left untreated, it can progress painlessly until a fracture occurs in the hip, spine or wrist.  Unfortunately, this disease is both under diagnosed and under treated.  Unless a patient has a painful fracture, it is a silent disease that only screening can uncover. 

 

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem affecting 44 million Americans, or 55% of people over the age of 50.  In the United States, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have osteoporosis and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at risk.

 

 

Who Gets Osteoporosis?

 

Eighty percent of those affected are women.  Risk is present in people of all ethnic backgrounds.

 

You are at risk for osteoporosis if:

  1. You are a woman over age 50 or have gone through menopause
  2. You smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol with regularity
  3. You have lost height
  4. You had a mother who suffered a hip fracture
  5. You are taking steroids, antiseizure medications, thyroid medications or long term blood thinners

How Do I Know if I Have Osteoporosis?

 

If you have risk factors, you should have a DEXA scan.  This is a simple, non-invasive test that measures your bone density.  The test needs to be interpreted by specially trained radiologists and rheumatologists.

 

 

What Is the Osteoporosis Center?

 

The Osteoporosis Center provides the following services:

  • Specializes in the diagnosis and care of patients with osteoporosis
  • Offers the latest treatments available
  • Provides screening for high-risk patients
  • Provides follow up care for patients

New patients are screened for risk factors and undergo a physical exam and DEXA bone scan interpretation by trained physicians.  DEXA bone scans are offered onsite and are interpreted by an ISCD-certified physician.

 

 

How Do I Make an Appointment?

 

Appointments are scheduled on Tuesday mornings.  The Osteoporosis Center is located on the first floor of the Temple University Physicians Medical Office Building, 3322 N. Broad Street.  To make an appointment, please call 215-707-4600.