Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that causes the bones in the body to become weak and brittle over time. This means the bones of an individual suffering from the condition are more likely to fracture or break due to falls, mild bumps or stresses placed upon them.

Most commonly, Osteoporosis-related fractures occur in the hip, wrist or spine, but it is possible for this condition to affect the majority of bones within the body. At New Victoria Hospital, our leading Rheumatologists offer a number of private treatments for Osteoporosis that are designed to prevent deterioration and strengthen bones. Supported by a team of specialist nurses, and with access to the latest technology, they will ensure you receive the highest standard of care and feel comfortable and reassured throughout your stay.

What Causes Osteoporosis?

Bone loss is a natural part of ageing, however, when the loss of bone density occurs much faster than expected, this is a sign of Osteoporosis. While it is a condition that can occur in any person regardless of age or sex, it is most commonly found in patients over 50, as it’s the age where the bone is broken down more quickly than it’s replaced. Women are also at a higher risk of developing Osteoporosis, especially during the first few years of menopause, as bone loss occurs more rapidly during this time.

Alongside age, there are a number of other factors which can increase the risk of an individual developing Osteoporosis. These include:

Taking high-dose steroid tablets for more than 3 months
A family history of Osteoporosis
Existing medical conditions such as inflammatory conditions, hormone-related conditions, or malabsorption problems
Long-term use of certain medicines which affect bone strength or hormone levels
A current or existing history of an eating disorder e.g. anorexia or bulimia
A low body mass index (BMI)
Lack of regular exercise
Heavy drinking
Heavy smoking

Treating Osteoporosis at New Victoria Hospital

In terms of treatment, we now have a much better understanding of how bone forms and how bone is lost in individuals. This has led to more treatment options. Treatment at any stage of diagnosis is beneficial with modern treatments having a very positive effect with relatively low risk.

At New Victoria Hospital, we offer a wide range of treatment options for Osteoporosis that focus on prevention and finding ways to strengthen the bones to avoid future fractures and breaks occurring.

These include:

The recommendation of medications such as bisphosphonates and selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) which can help to reduce the speed of bone loss and encourage bone renewal to prevent fractures in the future.
Vitamin supplements and hormone treatments which increase specific chemicals in the body that are needed for bone growth. Some areas of treatment we offer are calcium and vitamin D supplements
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women going through menopause to help alleviate symptoms.

For those who struggle with oral medications, we can offer treatments given by injection. Some are only required once a year.

Our consultants will also advise patients on lifestyle and environmental changes they can adopt to help prevent Osteoporosis and stop symptoms from worsening.

Check-ups for Osteoporosis

As part of their treatment, we also ask patients to complete regular Bone density scans (DEXA scans) to monitor their bone strength and the decline of bone density. This is a short, painless scan which takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete and can be used on various parts of the body to measure bone density.

Regularly partaking in these scans can ensure patients have the correct treatment plans to match the status of their condition. Having a regular understanding of bone density levels and the areas of the body most at risk reduces the possibility of future breaks and fractures.