Osteoporosis Treatment

Manage Osteoporosis Symptoms to Stay Whole and Healthy

Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans over the age of 50, with women four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Another 34 million Americans over the age of 50 have low bone mass (osteopenia) and therefore have an increased risk for osteoporosis.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which bones begin to lose mass, becoming porous and brittle. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists. People with osteoporosis are at greater risk for bone fractures and breaks.

Osteoporosis is a serious, common condition that most often affects postmenopausal women. There is no cure for osteoporosis, meaning the only way to treat it is to manage the symptoms. Thankfully, there are several ways to live a safe, injury-free life even with osteoporosis.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of bone loss in women during and after menopause. Women may lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause.

Although the exact medical cause is unknown, a number of factors contribute to osteoporosis, including the following:

  • Aging. Bones become less dense and weaker with age.

  • Race. White and Asian women have the highest risk factor, although any race may develop the disease.

  • Body weight. Obesity is associated with a higher bone mass, therefore people who weigh less and have less muscle are more at risk for developing osteoporosis.

  • Lifestyle factors. The following lifestyle factors may increase a person's risk of osteoporosis:

    • Physical inactivity

    • Caffeine

    • Excessive alcohol use

    • Smoking

    • Dietary calcium and vitamin D deficiency

  • Certain medications. If you are taking prescription medications, ask your doctor about side effects.

  • Family history of bone disease. If there is a history of disease in your family, you too may be at risk.

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) recommendations suggest that women's lifestyle practices should be reviewed regularly by their doctors, and that practices that help to reduce the risk for osteoporosis should be encouraged. Also, NAMS recommends that a woman's risk for falls should be evaluated at least once a year after menopause has occurred. An additional recommendation is that a woman's height and weight should be measured annually, and she should be assessed for kyphoses--development of a rounded humped spines--and back pain.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis is often called the silent disease because people with osteoporosis may not develop any symptoms. Some may have pain in their bones and muscles, particularly in their back. Occasionally, a collapsed vertebra may cause severe pain, decrease in height, or deformity in the spine. The symptoms of osteoporosis may resemble other bone disorders or medical problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

Osteoporosis Diagnosis

At our facilities, we use sophisticated dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry – known as DXA or DEXA scans – to measure bone density. It measures the amount of calcium and other minerals in a bone by passing X-rays with two different energy levels through the bone.

This test helps us determine the severity of a person’s osteoporosis and plan out the most effective, least invasive form of treatment.

You may need to consult an orthopedic doctor to learn about maintaining your bone health.

Osteoporosis Treatment

Depending on how severe the condition is, osteoporosis treatment may be as minimal as dietary changes, or extensive enough to warrant hormone therapy. Our physicians will work with you to help decrease pain, prevent fractures and minimize any further bone loss. Below is an overview of various osteoporosis treatments that orthopedic doctors may recommend.

Eat a Calcium-Rich Diet

A calcium-rich diet will likely be a component of any osteoporosis plan, but may be the only change you need to make if your condition is mild.

Our bodies need calcium but do not produce it, meaning most of the calcium we receive comes from food. If we are not consuming enough calcium, the body will start taking some from bone.

As bone tissue is always regenerating, this is not normally an issue, but osteoporosis prevents new bone from growing, meaning a calcium-rich diet is important to prevent our bodies from absorbing too much bone.

Your doctor may suggest that you take supplements, including Vitamin D, to keep your bones strong.

Exercise

Physical activity is a great way to keep bones strong. If you don’t get enough exercise, your doctor may recommend that you walk more and do other weight-bearing exercises such as weight training, jogging, stair climbing, playing tennis or dancing.

Exercise is an effective method for preventing osteoporosis, and can also play a role in your treatment if you already have the disease.

Given the increased risk of injury with osteoporosis, it is important to discuss a suitable exercise plan with your doctor before jumping into a new routine.

Cut Down on Alcohol and Caffeine Intake

Caffeine and alcohol can have negative effects on bone density. Excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with the balance of calcium in the bones, and may cause hormone deficiencies that can affect proper bone formation. It may also increase levels of cortisol, which can both decrease bone formation and raise the risk of bone deterioration. People who drink excessively are also more likely to fall and break a bone. Hip fractures and spine fractures, for example, are more common in people who drink heavily. Caffeine has also been shown to affect bone density.

Quit Smoking

People who smoke absorb less calcium in their diets, which affects bone density. Smoking may also increase risk of bone fractures, and make it harder to heal if there is a fracture. Quit smoking or vaping today.

Take Osteoporosis Medication

There are several osteoporosis medications available. Side effects from these medications may include nausea and heartburn. For some patients, these medications may need to be administered directly to the bloodstream through an IV or yearly injection.

Hormone Therapy

Estrogen plays a role in bone strength and density. Increasing estrogen levels can help prevent osteoporosis from worsening.

This treatment is generally used as a last resort for particularly severe cases of osteoporosis as it can also increase a patient’s risk of blood clots and certain types of cancer. If used appropriately and carefully monitored, however, it can go a long way in preventing injuries.

Prevent Falls

Falls are likely to result in broken bones when people have osteoporosis. Often, osteoporosis is not diagnosed until a person experiences a fracture due to weakened bones. This is common in older adults.

Prevent falls in older adults by installing hand railings or assistive devices in the bathroom or shower.

Preventing Osteoporosis

Many of the prevention methods for osteoporosis are similar to the methods used to treat it.

Maintaining a healthy weight, managing diet and exercise, and quitting smoking are ways to improve bone health and reduce your risk of getting osteoporosis.

If someone in your family has osteoporosis, you may have increased risk factors.

If you are concerned about a genetic predisposition or have other reasons to believe you may be at risk for osteoporosis consult an orthopedist. Don’t wait.

You can discuss your osteoporosis concerns with a knowledgeable orthopedist today. Contact us and start developing a prevention plan for yourself and your family.
Request an Appointment

Patient Stories

  • “We love that Sydney’s treatment plan is very tailored. We can’t say enough good things about Megan.”

    Sydney
    Read More
  • “It was like a miracle. I realized that I needed to stop suffering and start living.”

    Robin
    Read More
  • “I’ve returned to work and can walk without pain.”

    Deborah
    Read More

Patient Stories

  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
RWJ Rehabilitation at Delaware Valley
123 Franklin Corner Rd.
Suite 103
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 896-9054
View
Medical Specialty Services at Bayonne
16 East 29th Street
Bayonne, NJ 07002
(973) 926-7280
View
Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center
377 Jersey Avenue
Ground Floor, Medical Office Building
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(877) 393-5374
View
RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center
200 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-7000
View
Community Medical Center’s Comprehensive Breast Center
368 Lakehurst Rd
1st Floor, Suite 102
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-3363
View
RWJPE Sports Medicine New Jersey
186 County Road 520
Suite 3
Morganville, NJ 07751
(732) 946-2100
View
RWJ Balance & Hearing Center
2 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton Township, NJ 08690
(609) 245-7390
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Howell
4013 Route 9
Suite 2S
Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 923-7700
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Colts Neck
310 Route 34 South
Second Floor
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
(732) 923-7700
View
RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Bridgewater
1 Patriots Park
TD Bank Park
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 203-5972
View
RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Flemington
295 State Highway 31/202
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 806-2000
View
Care Connection at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
4th floor
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 499-6460
View
RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Hillsborough
1 Jill Court
Building 16 Suite 20
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
(908) 359-8800
View
RWJ Sports Physical Therapy at Princeton
743 Alexander Road
Suite 2
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 419-0455
View
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Rehabilitation at the JCC MetroWest
760 Northfield Avenue, Suite 210A
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 325-9100
View
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
View
Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
View
Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
View
Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
View
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
View
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at RWJUH
200 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
View
RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 381-4200
View
RWJBarnabas Health at Exchange Place
95 Greene Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 499-8720
View
RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
View
Trinitas Regional Medical Center – Williamson Street Campus
225 Williamson St
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
(908) 994-5000
View
The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center
300 2nd Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-7250
View
Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – East Brunswick
645 State Route 18
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(888) 244-5373
View
RWJ Physical Therapy at Carteret
60 Cooke Avenue
Carteret, NJ 07008
(732) 969-8030
View
RWJ Physical Therapy at Scotch Plains
2120 Lamberts Mill Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 389-5400
View
Jersey City Medical Center's Ambulatory Care Center
395 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07304
(201) 915-2410
View
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
View
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
View
Jersey City Medical Center Women's Health at Grove Street
116 Newark Avenue
(at Grove Street PATH Plaza)
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 984-1270
View
RWJ Hamilton Diagnostic & Treatment Center
1 Sheffield Drive
Suite 202
Columbus, NJ 08022
(609) 584-6640
View
RWJ Rehabilitation - Columbus
1 Sheffield Drive
Columbus, NJ 08022
(609) 227-4592
View
Jersey City Medical Center Outpatient Services at Colony Plaza
414 Grand Street
Suite 14
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 616-0470
View
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
View
RWJ Rehabilitation - Hamilton
3100 Quakerbridge Road
Hamilton, NJ 08619
(609) 584-6640
View
Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Egg Harbor Township
6106 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 645-7779
View
Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Clifton
1135 Broad Street
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 365-3071
View
Trinitas Children's Therapy Services
899 Mountain Ave
Suite 1-A
Springfield, NJ 07081
(973) 218-6394
View
The Family Health Center (FHC) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
166 Lyons Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
RWJ Physical Therapy at New Brunswick
100 Kirkpatrick Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 545-0494
View
The Center for Ambulatory Surgery
1450 Route 22 West
Mountainside, NJ 07092
(888) 590-6849
View
Short Hills Surgery Center
187 Millburn Avenue
Suite 102
Milburn, NJ 07041
(973) 671-0555
View
Hudson Crossing Surgery Center
2 Executive Drive
Suite 102
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
(201) 470-6977
View
RWJ Rehabilitation Lawrenceville
4152 Quakerbridge Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 245-7420
View
Cancer Center at RWJ Hamilton
2575 Klockner Road
Hamilton Township, NJ 08690
(609) 631-6960
View
Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Union
2840 Morris Avenue
Kenneth Esdale Pavilion
Union, NJ 07083
(888) 244-5373
View
Jersey City Medical Center Rehabilitation Services
100 Town Square Place
Suite 208
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(201) 915-2000
View

Orthopedics Treatment & Care

offered at these locations in your neighborhood

View All Locations