What kind of doctor osteoporosis

This will help control the progression of the condition. Treatment also aims to reduced pain and prevent fall-related fractures. This will involve a variety of treatments and lifestyle changes to help improve your wellbeing and quality of life. Here are some of things that can help you take control of osteoporosis and symptoms associated with the condition:.

There are several different types of medications that are used to treat and manage osteoporosis. Your orthopedic physician will review the risks and benefits of each of these medications with you prior to deciding which ones will work best for you. The medications commonly used to treat osteoporosis include:. If you want to get tested and treated for osteoporosis, we can help.

You should discuss your options with the doctor you feel will be the most proactive in helping you lower the chance of a future fracture. Primary care physicians know your medical history and lifestyle. They can treat osteoporosis, or will refer you to a specialist if needed.

They can discuss lifestyle factors that may affect bone health and osteoporosis risk related to the onset of menopause. Rheumatologists treat patients with age-related bone diseases. They can diagnose and treat osteoporosis. Endocrinologists, who see patients with hormone-related issues, also manage the treatment of metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis. Orthopedic surgeons may fix fractures.

They can also be involved in a follow-up diagnosis and osteoporosis treatment plan. Physicians use this test to predict the risk of bone fractures in the future. Quantitative computed tomography QCT , a special type of spine CT that shows loss of bone mineral density, may be used in some cases. In severe cases of osteoporosis, a spine or hip X-ray may show fracture or collapse of the spinal bones.

Simple X-rays of bones are not very accurate in predicting the likelihood of osteoporosis. Blood and urine tests can determine if osteoporosis is thought to be due to a medical condition, rather than simply the usual bone loss seen with older age. Treatment for Osteoporosis The goals of osteoporosis treatment are to: Slow down or stop bone loss Prevent bone fractures with medicines that strengthen bone Minimize the risk of falls that might cause fractures There are several different treatments for osteoporosis, including lifestyle changes and a variety of medications.

In This Section Osteoporosis Team Specialists at Penn Rheumatology provide expert evaluation, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for those with osteoporosis, the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time. Share This Page: Post Tweet. If you have a primary care or family doctor, discuss your concerns with him or her. Your doctor may treat the disease or be able to refer you to an osteoporosis specialist.

If you are enrolled in a health maintenance organization HMO or a managed care health plan, consult your assigned doctor about osteoporosis. This doctor should be able to give you an appropriate referral. If you do not have a personal doctor or if your doctor cannot help, contact your nearest university hospital or academic health center and ask for the department that cares for patients with osteoporosis.

The department will vary from institution to institution. For example, in some facilities, the department of endocrinology or metabolic bone disease treats osteoporosis patients. In other medical centers, the appropriate department may be rheumatology, orthopaedics, or gynecology.