Osteoporosis and fragility fractures

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Osteoporosis and fragility fractures

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures even from minor falls or routine daily activities. Because bone loss occurs gradually and without symptoms in many cases, people often don’t know they have osteoporosis until they have a fracture (broken bone).

These fractures are often called fragility fractures and most commonly affect the hip, spine, wrist, and shoulder. They can lead to significant pain, loss of mobility, and reduced independence.

Risk factors

Osteoporosis can affect men and women of all races, but white and Asian women are at the highest risk – especially after menopause, when estrogen levels drop (estrogen is a hormone that helps keep bones strong, among other functions). One out of two women over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Some people accept osteoporosis as a natural result of the aging process, and it is more common after age 70 in men and women. However, eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, and taking the right amounts of calcium and vitamin D can lower the risk of osteoporosis. Also, there are also several medications that can be used to prevent fractures before they occur.

Osteopenia is a similar condition of low bone density that may develop before osteoporosis and also increases a person’s risk for fractures. Without diagnosis and treatment, people with osteoporosis or osteopenia are more likely to have repeat fractures, which can have long-term negative effects.

UAB Fracture and Fragility Clinic

The UAB Fracture and Fragility Clinic provides evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with osteoporosis, osteopenia, and fragility fractures, as well as bone density loss and fractures that do not heal properly (known as non‑union fractures). It was created to address gaps in care for patients who are treated for a fracture but don’t receive prompt attention for underlying bone disease.

The clinic expands access to focused bone health care and goes beyond standard osteoporosis care. Most new patients can be seen within 30 days of requesting an appointment, which is important given that delays in osteoporosis care can increase the risk of additional fractures and long‑term problems.

Multispecialty care for bone health

The UAB Fracture and Fragility Clinic brings together our experts in orthopaedic surgery and endocrinology to provide complete care for bone health. Orthopaedic providers help identify and treat patients with fractures, while our endocrinology specialists focus on bone evaluation, medication management, long-term fracture prevention, and the underlying cause of weakened bones. The providers in this clinic work closely with the endocrinologists, rheumatologists, and gerontologist in the UAB Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Clinic.

Patients may be seen in the Fracture and Fragility Clinic after a fracture or for preventive care related to bone health. Care plans are customized to the patient and may include:

Medication therapy
Bone density testing
Nutrition and lifestyle guidance
Strategies to reduce fall risk
Ongoing monitoring

A special type of imaging scan called a DXA scan is helpful but not required prior to visiting the clinic.

Access to advanced care

Osteoporosis management is a specialized area of medicine, and UAB Medicine offers easy access to care. As mentioned previously, the UAB Fracture and Fragility Clinic can see new patients within 30 days in most cases. Patients also benefit from UAB Medicine’s commitment to research‑based care and working closely with other medical specialties.

To make an appointment with one of our osteoporosis specialists, please call the Orthopaedic Access Center scheduling line at 205-930-8339 or call 205-801-8187.