Fracture Prevention – Not Bone Mineral Density

The goal of Bone Health Evaluation and Treatment is Fracture Prevention!  DXA and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) are useful tools for evaluation.  But DXA and BMD are only one out of many tools for bone health evaluation.  DXA t-score and BMD should never be the sole goal of treatment.

As an orthopedic surgeon, my goal is always Decreasing Fracture Risk.  In the USA we sometimes seem to have forgotten that real goal.  We focus too much on DXA t-scores.  We should focus on the patient.  We should treat “Clinical Osteoporosis”.  The patient deserves a complete Bone Health evaluation.

We cannot just take a medicine and forget about our bone health for the rest of the year.  Calcium is basic – in at least 3 doses daily – best in foods or Calcium Citrate.  Vitamin D3 is essential.  Enough protein is essential.  Back extension exercises can make a major difference in avoiding humpback (kyphosis).  Stopping smoking can be a huge help.

Do what you can to Take Control Naturally.  Remember:  If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?

Jay Ginther, MD

Categorised in: Evaluation and Screening, Fracture, Osteoporosis, Take Control Naturally