A Perfect Storm for Broken Bones

A “perfect storm” threatens to derail the progress that has been made in protecting the bone health of Americans. As the population over 50 swells, fewer adults at risk of advanced bone loss and fractures are undergoing tests for bone density, resulting in a decline in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, even for people who have already broken bones.

 Were Women’s Bone Scans Bone Scams?

Women are in such danger of osteoporosis they need regular bone scans. That was conventional medical “wisdom” since the first lucrative bone drug surfaced over a decade ago. But a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that the warnings don’t apply to 90 percent of women who have been getting the scans — and the bone drugs the scans were designed to sell — for no reason. How did this happen?

Bone Density Test

Healthcare providers measure bone density in the hip and spine for several reasons. First, people with osteoporosis have a greater chance of fracturing these bones. Second, broken bones in the hip and spine can cause more serious problems, including longer recovery time, greater pain and even disability. Bone density in the hip and spine can also predict the likelihood of future breaks in other bones.

Are Bone-Density Scans As Crucial as Thought?

In the last several years, millions have heeded the advice, hoping to find out early whether they are at high risk for fractures. But what many women don't know -- and their doctors don't tell them -- is that the test is far from definitive. Results can cause undue alarm and even lead to unnecessary medication.

Bone Density Chart: Understand Your Bone Density Scores

Focusing too closely on the DEXA bone density scores can be a mistake. Many doctors admit that the DEXA T-score is not a perfect predictor for bone health or fracture risk.

Can Prunes Reverse Bone Loss?

Several studies suggest that eating prunes every day could help prevent or even reverse bone loss and osteoporosis.

Cracks in the Test: Doctors Improve Osteoporosis Screens

Current screens for osteoporosis are flawed, but doctors are repairing their methods.

I’m Doing Something Silly To Protect My Bone Density

For my last annual check-up, I had a bone density scan and got a nasty surprise. Like far too many women my age, I’ve got osteoporosis.

Older Women and Bone Tests

Bottom line: A DXA test might be something you need quite rarely…or pretty often. Without the first screening to assess your bone density, there’s no way to tell. But if your first test brings happy results and you have no other risk factors, you can probably put off the second test for years.

Repeated Bone Scans Shed Little Light On Fracture Risk

Many women have heard that they should be concerned about bone health as they age because there's a risk for crippling fractures. But repeated bone scans that are supposed to help assess the risk do a crummy job of predicting who's actually going to break a bone.