The Osteoporosis Clinic

The new Osteoporosis Clinic at Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan provides comprehensive orthopaedic bone health care, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy, education, and research. The Clinic provides patient and family risk assessments, dietary information, coordinates lab and pharmacy services, and offer specialized physical and occupational therapy—all with the goal and focus of promoting bone health, reducing fracture risks, accelerating healing, and preventing re-fractures.

Staffed by Dr. Clifford B. Jones, a nurse practitioner, a research coordinator, and physical and occupational therapist, the Clinic plans to expand to include additional physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nurse practitioners.

For information about osteoporosis, your risks, new options for treatment, or a referral for our services, we urge you to contact your primary care physician.

Good bone health starts by understanding the basics.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. The disease leads to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine, and wrist.

How can osteoporosis be prevented?

Osteoporosis can be prevented by the following steps:
1. Get the daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
2. Engage in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise
3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
4. Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
5. Have a bone density test and take medication when appropriate

Osteoporosis risk factors.

Risk factors include:
1. being female
2. older age
3. family history of osteoporosis or broken bones
4. being small and thin
5. low estrogen levels in women, and low levels of testosterone and estrogen in men
6. low calcium and vitamin D intake
7. excessive intake of protein, sodium and caffeine
8. inactive lifestyle
9. smoking, alcohol abuse and certain medications such as steroid medications

Osteoporosis facts.

  • Osteoporosis can weaken bones to the point of breaking from a minor fall, or even from a sneeze.
  • Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans or 55% of people 50 years of age and older.
  • 10 million Americans currently have osteoporosis.
  • Osteoporosis can strike at any age.
  • Significant risk has been reported in people of all ethnic backgrounds.
  • Women can lost up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years after menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis.
  • A woman's risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer.
  • The rate of hip fractures is two to three times higher in women than men; however, the one year mortality following a hip fracture is nearly twice as high for men as for women.
  • In 2005, treatment of osteoporosis-related fractures cost an estimated $19 billion and experts predict that these costs will rise to approximately $25.3 billion by 2025.
  • Many people don't know they have osteoporosis until they break a bone.
  • Special bone mineral density (BMD) tests can help determine a person's fracture risk.
  • There is no cure for osteoporosis, but it can be treated.
  • Building strong bones during childhood helps prevent osteoporosis, and diet and exercise helps slow it down later in life.

More osteoporosis resources.

  • National Osteoporosis FoundationThe mission of the National Osteoporosis Foundation is to make bone health a reality and a lifelong priority for all individuals through education and prevention. Here you'll find information, tips, and guidelines for bone health and treatment.
  • International Osteoporosis Foundation The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the largest global non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. You can find facts, statistics, publications, and other important information regarding this disease.
  • Powerful girls. Powerful bones. A great website from the Department of Health and Human Services for young girls/teens to learn about building better bones.
  • Best Bones Forever Parent Edition Great website for parents offering key information for helping daughters build healthy bones early on in life. Also provides osteoporosis facts, family activities and recipes to help build strong bones.
  • Michigan Osteoporosis Connection This helpful overview provides facts and risks associated with osteoporosis. Additionally it also offers educational opportunities and links to numerous osteoporosis websites.
  • Michigan Department of Community Health The MDCH website offers an overview of osteoporosis facts, risk factors, steps for prevention and links to additional informative osteoporosis websites.
  • Bone Biology for Kids This is an educational site for middle school students. It is intended to contain information about bones, the skeleton, bone health and other aspects of bone biology. The material will be a resource that can be used by health, biology and science teachers.
  • Bone Health Risk Assessment This one-minute risk assessment will help you understand the status of your bone health, each answer triggers further information. You can print it out or complete it online.
  • Women’s Health Information This informative website provides answers to basic osteoporosis-related questions, including risks, bone health and impact of pregnancy and menopause on bone density.
  • Web MD Osteoporosis Overview Provides numerous useful resources such as overview, facts, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for osteoporosis.
  • National Institute of Arthritis an Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases This useful resource provides links to numerous osteoporosis topics within the NIAMS website. Topics include, but are not limited to bone health, osteoporosis and minority women, preventing fractures, and bone diseases.

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