Osteoporosis - Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis - Testing and Assessment
Osteoporosis is under-diagnosed and under-treated. There are no symptoms until a fracture occurs. Common sites for fracture include the hip, spine and wrist.

Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is key in preventing further damage and bone loss. Bone mineral density (BMD) testing can identify individuals at increased risk for fractures, assess a patient's current condition and be used to help monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (or DXA), a form of X-ray technology, can measure bone loss.

This test requires a physician order or referral. A physician can order this service individually or in combination with a physician consultation.

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

• Personal history of fracture after age 50
• Low bone mineral density
• Family history of osteoporosis or fracture
• Low body weight (<127 lbs)
• Amenorrhea
• Menopause
• Low testosterone levels in men
• Corticosteroids
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Smoking
• Alcoholism
• Anorexia
• Malabsorption (celiac disease, Crohn's disease)
• Kidney disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Chronic low calcium intake
• Seizure medications

Treatment
Treatment of osteoporosis involves a combination of nutrition, exercise, medication and fall prevention. These treatments can effectively reduce fractures by up to 70 percent. Bone is a dynamic tissue and bone turnover is a constant process. At all ages it is important to get adequate calcium, vitamin D and exercise to help prevent osteoporosis.

Appointments & Testing
To schedule an appointment or for more information about the Osteoporosis Center at St. Luke's Hospital, call 314-205-6633.
(Health insurance may require a physician order or referral to the Osteoporosis Center.)

The Osteoporosis Center of St. Luke's Hospital
St. Luke's Desloge Outpatient Center
121 St. Luke's Center Drive, Suite 504
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314-205-6633

St. Luke's also offers DXA bone mineral density testing at these outpatient locations:
(The test requires a physician order/referral.)

St. Luke's Women's Center at St. Luke's Hospital
232 S. Woods Mill Road, Suite 200 East
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314-205-6267

St. Luke's Women's Center - Chesterfield Valley
6 McBride & Son Drive, Suite 102
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636-530-5505

St. Luke's RAYUS Radiology - Midwest Breast Care
450 North New Ballas Road, Suite 250 North
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-567-4449

St. Luke’s RAYUS Radiology - St. Peters
5200 Executive Center Parkway, Suite 400
St. Peters, MO. 63376
636-229-4247

St. Luke’s RAYUS Radiology - O’Fallon (WingHaven)
5551 WingHaven Blvd., Suite 60
O’Fallon, MO. 63368
636-625-4434