Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterised by compromised bone strength which is a reflection of bone density and bone quality, predisposing a person to an increased risk of a broken bone.

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?

Regrettably, osteoporosis is too frequently left undetected until fracture occurs as there are no other symptoms - which is why osteoporosis is sometimes known as the "silent epidemic". However, there are clues which help to identify those at increased risk of osteoporosis and susceptible to fracture. These include the following:

• An earlier fracture
• A first-degree family history of fractures
• Women with premature menopause (45 or younger)
• Smoking
• Drinking more than 3 units a day
• A low body weight
• Poor diet
• Reduced exposure to sunlight
• Presence of other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, an overactive thyroid, coeliac disease, chronic liver or kidney disease.    

If I am at risk can osteoporosis be confirmed?

Yes, the best diagnostic method is bone densitometry. This sophisticated, but non-invasive test measures bone density (strength) usually by scanning the hip and spine. The radation dose is extremely low and this is a very safe test.

Can osteoporosis be treated? 

Yes. There is an increasing range of highly effective treatments which can be taken in tablet form or given by injections. The freqency of treatment varies from daily to annually. It is important to recognise that it is never too late, and a person never too old, for treatment to be introduced.

London Medical Osteoporosis Clinic

At London Medical, we run a comprehensive clinical outpatient service which can be delivered through a ‘one-stop' approach. We have onsite the most up-to-date bone densitometer which allows, in addition, rapid measurement of the spine to check for unidentified vertebral fractures. We have experts in bone disease, and the service is run and overseen by Dr Tom Palferman, consultant rheumatologist, who is a recognised national opinion on osteoporosis and whose Health Service unit won the prestigious Hospital Doctor Unit of the Year Award.

At a single visit, osteoporosis risk-assessment is performed through a detailed questionnaire and bone density measurement. After the consultation, when the scans are interpreted, the results are explained and, where necessary, further investigations carried out. A treatment plan is then discussed and administered.

As such, we deliver a unique, all-encompassing clinical service run by dedicated experts, backed up by a state-of-the-art scanner which provides information over and above that usually obtained on routine bone density scanning, (i.e. the identification of unsuspected vertebral fractures). The monitoring of bone turnover and response to treatment is done through highly specialised biochemical tests with treatment being tailor-made for an individual's requirement.