For a long time, older adults who broke their hip mostly worked with orthopedic doctors to regain strength and movement. But for many patients, the real issue behind the break was never treated—osteoporosis.
Dr. Michael McDermott, an expert in bone health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, says that osteoporosis is often missed when fractures are treated in places where bone health isn’t the focus.
Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones weak and easy to break. It’s very common, especially in older women after menopause. Globally, more than 200 million people have it.
Dr. McDermott has spent his career treating and researching this disease. In 1995, he helped start the Metabolic Bone Disease Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital. The clinic now focuses on finding better ways to diagnose osteoporosis earlier, so treatment can begin before serious fractures occur.
Osteoporosis can lower a person’s quality of life. Fragile bones can lead to broken hips, spines, wrists, and other serious injuries. These injuries often reduce independence, cause pain, and can even lead to early death. That’s why early diagnosis is critical.
People usually start losing bone around age 50. According to the FDA, 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and more than 80% are women. Our bones constantly rebuild themselves, but as we age, that process slows down. Women are more affected because they start with lower bone mass than men and lose it faster after menopause.
Genetics plays a role in how much bone mass we gain as kids and how much we lose later. But lifestyle is also important. Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, too much alcohol or caffeine, and certain medications like steroids can all weaken bones.
By spotting these risk factors early, doctors can recommend screening and prevention. For those who already have osteoporosis, treatment is available.
There are two main types of medications—one that slows bone loss and another that helps build new bone. These medicines are usually taken in a specific order for the best results. But healthy habits like eating well and staying active are just as important.
One major warning sign of osteoporosis is a “fragility fracture”—a broken bone caused by something minor like a simple fall. In the past, osteoporosis was only diagnosed after these breaks. Today, bone density tests can find it earlier. At CU Anschutz, both endocrinologists and radiologists work together to improve access to these tests.
A unique service at the hospital is the fracture liaison program. It helps make sure that older adults with possible osteoporosis-related fractures get the care they need.
The service looks at all patients 65 and older who had recent fractures and were treated at the hospital. It then arranges follow-up care, including bone testing, lab work, and a meeting with a doctor to talk about treatment. If a case is complex, bone specialists step in.
This program, which started in 2017, has improved the number of patients getting tested and treated. Usually, fewer than 20% of people with hip fractures get medicine for osteoporosis. But thanks to teamwork between doctors, the number is growing.
Dr. McDermott says that these services help find osteoporosis earlier and reduce the number of people who suffer from painful and dangerous fractures. He believes their model is one of the first in the country and will help many patients in the future.
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If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage your back pain, and Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing common native American plant may help reduce diarrhea and pain.
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