Bone Health
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Bone Health
Your bones are living tissue that constantly rebuilds throughout your life. As you age, your body gradually loses bone faster than it can replace it. Keeping your bones strong throughout life can help reduce your risk of fractures and improve your overall health. Whether you're looking to reduce your risk of osteoporosis, recovering from a fracture, or need specialized treatment for a bone condition, our team is here to help.
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The Saunders Center for Orthopaedics & Physical Performance is one of the few centers in the nation that combines orthopaedic care with metabolic bone disease treatment.
Why Care About Bone Health?
Many bone conditions develop slowly and don’t have any symptoms until a fracture occurs. That's why prevention and early screening are so important.
Protecting your bone health today can help you:
- Stay active and independent
- Reduce your risk of fractures
- Lower your chance of developing osteoporosis
- Support healthy aging
- Improve balance and mobility
Understanding Bone and Joint Conditions
Osteoporosis weakens bones and makes them more likely to break, often without symptoms beforehand. At URochester Medicine, we use bone density testing and a review of your health history to understand your fracture risk. Your care may include nutrition and exercise guidance, medicines, and ongoing monitoring to help protect your bones.
Osteoarthritis affects cartilage and other tissues in your joints, causing pain and stiffness that can make walking, climbing stairs, or reaching overhead difficult. Our osteoarthritis specialists offer treatments tailored to the affected joint and your daily activities. Options include physical therapy, exercise, medicines, and injections, with surgery available when other treatments aren’t enough.
Osteopenia means your bones have lost some density, but not enough to be considered osteoporosis. It doesn’t always lead to osteoporosis. We can help you get you screened, understand your results, and what you can do to protect your bones.
You may benefit from a bone health evaluation if you:
- Are postmenopausal
- Have experienced early menopause
- Have a family history of osteoporosis
- Have had a previous fracture
- Have osteopenia
- Take medications that affect bone health, such as long-term steroids
Our Approach
Knee pain when walking, hip stiffness, or shoulder pain can make everyday tasks harder. Our experts can find the cause and recommend treatment, from physical therapy and medicines to injections or surgery when needed.
At URochester Medicine, specialists from endocrinology, orthopaedics, primary care, imaging, nutrition, and rehabilitation work together to provide comprehensive bone health care.
We focus on:
- Preventing bone disease whenever possible
- Detecting bone loss early
- Identifying underlying causes
- Reducing fracture risk
- Helping patients stay active and independent
As the region's leading academic health system, we combine the latest research with compassionate, personalized care to support your long-term health.
Expert Support for Stronger Bones
Joint Wellness Program
Classes focused on low impact movements to maximize bone strength and mobility.
Bone Health Nutrition Assessment
1-on-1 visits to assess eating habits, desired nutrition goals, and body composition.
Mobility & Fall Prevention
Screenings that predict your risk of falls by identifying points of weakness and balance issues.
Preventing Bone Disease
If you are at increased risk of osteoporosis or fractures, we can provide you with personalized care focused on preventing bone loss before it leads to more serious disease.
Our experts will help you understand your individual risk factors and develop practical strategies to maintain strong bones throughout life.
Your care plan may include:
- Bone health evaluations
- Personalized fracture risk assessment
- Nutrition counseling
- Exercise recommendations
- Lifestyle coaching
- Medication evaluation when appropriate
- Ongoing monitoring of bone density
Bone Density Testing (DEXA Scan)
A DEXA scan, also called a bone density test, is the most accurate way to measure bone strength and identify bone loss before fractures happen.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a DEXA scan if you:
- Are age 65 or older
- Are a postmenopausal woman with risk factors
- Have experienced a fracture after age 50
- Have a family history of osteoporosis
- Take medications that weaken bones
Kevin C. - Patient
What Sets Us Apart?
Patients choose URochester Medicine because we offer:
- Comprehensive bone health evaluations
- Bone density (DEXA) testing
- Specialized care for osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease
- Personalized prevention strategies
- Nutrition and exercise guidance
- Coordinated care from multiple specialties
- Access to the latest research and evidence-based treatments through our fully integrated academic health system
Whether you're focused on prevention or managing an existing bone condition, our team works with you to build a plan that supports lifelong bone health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I improve my bone health?
Healthy eating, regular weight-bearing exercise, avoiding tobacco, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, and routine screening all help support strong bones.
Our Joint Wellness Program offers personalized low-impact programs to help preserve bone health and prevent bone disease.
Should I get a bone density test?
You may need a bone density test if you’re a woman age 65 or older, a man age 70 or older, or a younger adult with risk factors for bone loss. These include a broken bone after age 50, a family history of osteoporosis, or taking medicines that can weaken bones.
The test, also called a DEXA scan, can find bone loss before a fracture happens. Ask your doctor whether it’s time to get tested.
What is the difference between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis?
Osteoporosis weakens your bones and makes them more likely to break, often without symptoms until a fracture happens. Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage and other tissues in your joints, causing pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving.
You can have both conditions, but they need different care. Osteoporosis treatment focuses on protecting bone strength and preventing fractures. Osteoarthritis treatment helps relieve joint pain and keep you moving.
Read more about the difference between these conditions here.
What is the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis?
Both conditions mean your bones have lost density. With osteopenia, the bone loss is less severe. With osteoporosis, bones are weaker and more likely to break.
Osteopenia doesn’t always lead to osteoporosis. Your bone density results and other risk factors help your doctor decide whether you need treatment to prevent fractures.
Can bone loss be prevented?
Bone loss can often be slowed, and some can be prevented. Healthy eating, regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco help protect your bones as you age. If you’re already losing bone, treatment can help limit further loss and reduce your risk of fractures.
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View All LocationsWe serve you in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region. Locations are ordered by distance, with those closest to listed first.
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