At Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we are committed to providing comprehensive education and secondary fracture treatment and prevention through our Osteoporosis Clinic.

Our goal is to help patients improve their bone density with medications, lifestyle modifications, vitamins, and a more personalized, appropriate care plan tailored to their unique needs.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease where the body loses too much bone, produces too little bone, or both. Occurring in both men and women, around 50% of women and 20% of men will break a bone from osteoporosis.

Bone loss is a painless event and is usually not identified until the first fracture has occurred. Oftentimes, fractures occur from ground-level falls or even without an injury. Common broken bones from osteoporosis are the hip, spine, and wrist.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Osteoporosis can be diagnosed in the following ways:

  • A fragility fracture is diagnosed (a broken bone from a ground-level fall)
  • Poor bone quality is noted from a medical provider
  • A bone mineral density test (DEXA scan) is taken

What are the risk factors of osteoporosis?

As we age, the thinning of bone is a natural occurrence; however, there are other contributing factors, that can accelerate and worsen this process. These factors include:

  • Over the age of 50
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Low body mass (LBM)
  • Bone structure
  • Smoking and/or alcohol use
  • Certain medications
  • Low estrogen or testosterone
  • Poor diet
  • Certain diseases

Bone density testing

The earlier you are tested for osteoporosis, the more bone you will have to preserve. We proudly offer bone density testing to:

  • Detect low bone density before a fracture occurs
  • Diagnose osteoporosis if you have already had a fracture
  • Determine your rate of bone loss if the test is conducted at regular intervals
  • Monitor osteoporosis treatment effects

What can you do?

If you have osteoporosis or are at risk for osteoporosis, you can do the following:

  • Take vitamin supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D
  • Exercise 30 minutes per day most days of the week
  • Take fall prevention precautions
  • Make lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation
  • Take medication to slow/stop bone loss

Additional resources

We have provided the following links to give you additional information on osteoporosis and bone health.

Exceptional bone care begins here

At our Osteoporosis Clinic, board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Foley is an expert in bone health and prevention as well as sports medicine, trauma, and general orthopedics. He uses his extensive knowledge and expertise in bone health to develop customized plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs and focused on decreasing and preventing future fractures.

To learn more about our Osteoporosis Clinic or to consult with Dr. Foley, please call (530) 587-7461 or request an appointment online.