Get screened for osteoporosis using DEXA scans
It isn’t uncommon to see a funny or relatable TikTok or Instagram reel of a thirty-something person getting out of bed and realizing they’re having new aches and pains as they age. While the videos are meant in jest, the reality is that as Father Time rolls along it becomes a reality for many.
Mark Oertel, MD
Mark Oertel, MD, an endocrinologist with Lawrence Endocrinology, shared that age is only one of the risk factors for developing the condition.
Deteriorating bone health is one of the issues that affects many older Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly one in five women and one in 20 men over age 50 are affected by osteoporosis. This is a medical condition where bones thin, become weak and are more likely to break.
“Women who are post-menopausal are at higher risk of having osteoporosis,” he explained. “Certain medications can enhance risk, including the use of long-term prescription steroids, seizure medications and even stomach acid reducers like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors). Vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism and other health conditions can also be factors.”
According to Dr. Oertel, all women should be screened for osteoporosis at age 65 – whether or not they’ve previously had a bone fracture. If you’ve broken a bone, that drops to age 50.
DEXA scanner
One tool that LMH Health uses to monitor bone density is a DEXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry) scan. These scans measure bone density – the thickness and strength of bones – by passing a high and low-energy X-ray beam through the body, usually in the hip and spine.
“It’s a really simple test to screen for osteoporosis, equivalent to an X-ray,” Dr. Oertel said. “You lay on a table, we take an image and the radiology technician studies the density of the bones in your lower spine and hips.”
It only takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete the scan and your results may be available the same day. DEXA scans can be performed at two locations – the Internal Medicine Group or the LMH Health West Campus.
Warning signs
A fragility fracture is one sign of osteoporosis. These are fractures caused by an event that you wouldn’t usually expect to result in one, such as a fall from standing height or less.
Adam Goodyear, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoKansas, said it’s important for patients who have fragility fractures to receive care for the injury and the underlying medical condition.
Adam Goodyear, MD
“When I see someone for a fragility fracture – a hip, for instance – I know they likely have osteopenia or osteoporosis, and we can confirm with a DEXA scan,” he explained. “A lot of the time you don’t know that you’ve got one of these conditions until you break a bone.”
One of LMH Health’s goals is to streamline care through a comprehensive fragility fracture program. The aim is for anyone with a fragility fracture to be followed by orthopedics and someone who medically manages their condition. It’s vitally important for patients living with osteopenia or osteoporosis due to the risks involved with the conditions.
“It’s important for us to try and prevent additional fractures. Once you have a fragility fracture, there’s a high risk that you’ll have another one,” Dr. Goodyear said. “We know that patients who have a fragility fracture in their hip have about a 30% mortality rate in the first year.”
While many primary care physicians care for patients living with osteoporosis, you may be referred to an endocrinologist for monitoring and treatment if your condition is more complex. It’s the third most common condition Dr. Oertel treats, outside of diabetes and thyroid issues.
But how does the program work? The team at OrthoKansas identifies patients who have had a fracture within the last six months and are at risk for osteoporosis, and makes a referral to Dr. Oertel and the fragility fracture program. He sees patients one day each month at the LMH Health West Campus.
“Ideally, patients referred to the program will have a DEXA scan right before their appointment with me,” he said. “I look at the scan, we go over the results and come up with a treatment plan to prevent a second fracture.”
Prevention is key
Osteoporosis is a silent disease, one that many people don’t know they have until they’ve broken a bone.
According to the National Institutes of Health, there are a few steps you can take to prevent the disease:
- Eat a nutritious diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to promote good bone health
- Stay physically active and participate in weight-bearing exercises such as walking
- Drink alcohol only in moderation
- Quit smoking or don’t start if you don’t smoke
- Take medications as prescribed
Dr. Oertel can’t overemphasize the importance of osteoporosis screening, especially for women. He shared that about 50% of women who are 65 and older will have a bone fracture during their lifetime.
“DEXA is a quick, easy test that can identify a condition that’s very common for women,” he said. “This is a great tool that we have at our disposal to diagnose osteoporosis. Being able to provide treatment for your underlying metabolic problem to prevent fragility fractures is just another way for us to help keep you healthy.”
