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Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It is a fairly common condition that affects around three million people in the UK. Mainly due to poor bone health, one in two women and one in five men over the age of 80 in the UK will fracture a bone which is commonly the hip, spine or wrist.

Parkside Private Hospital offers a one-stop screening service to evaluate patients at an early stage to prevent the complications of osteoporosis and treat patients at the earliest possible stage to prevent additional disease manifestations.

There are usually no warnings you’ve developed osteoporosis and it is often only diagnosed when a bone is fractured after even minor falls.

 

What is a DXA Bone Densitometry scan?

DEXA scan is a non-invasive, quick and painless test that measures bone density. DEXA stands for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and is a gold standard method of assessing whether you are at risk of osteoporosis.  In general, the denser the bone, the stronger it is.

 

One-Stop Osteoporosis Screening Service

Following your DEXA scan, a full report will be prepared. This will take any additional personal risk factors into account in determining your future fracture risk and will include recommendations such as the need for drug therapy and follow-up scans where appropriate.

 

Depending on certain criteria the one-stop osteoporosis screening service is available by self-referral. For further information or to make an appointment

For more information or to make an appointment, please call: 020 8971 8025

 

Who is at risk?

Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men, those at greater risk include:

  • post-menopausal women
  • women who have had an early menopause
  • women who have had a hysterectomy
  • women of all ages who exercise very heavily
  • people with a close family history of osteoporosis
  • anyone with a low body mass index or bodyweight
  • those on prolonged low-calorie diets
  • all who exercise inadequately or who have prolonged periods of inactivity
  • smokers or heavy drinkers
  • people with dietary problems or gastrointestinal or rheumatic diseases
  • steroid users
  • people on certain medications i.e. long-term use of corticosteroid or enoxaparin
  • family history of hip fracture

 

Assessment for men,  usually will take place with the DXA Bone Densitometry scanner if you have:

  • Clinical manifestations of low bone mass
  • History of low trauma fractures
  • Loss of more than 1.5 inches in height
  • Risk factors for fracture
  • Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
  • Hypogonadism
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Intestinal disorders

 

 

What happens next?

After your assessment, you will have a consultation with a Consultant Rheumatologist to review your reports.

They will provide you with a diagnosis as well as lifestyle advice and further consultation will be arranged should you need pharmacological treatment.

How much does the one-stop osteoporosis screening cost?

Package price:

(This includes the Dexa Scan, the consultation, diagnosis, as well as pathology)

 

 

Osteoporosis Consultants