Bone Health Services

Every year, millions of Americans suffer from osteoporosis (weak bones). This leads to a higher risk of fracture, height loss, decreased function and decreased quality of life. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, one in two woman and one in four men over the age of 50 will suffer from an osteoporotic or weak bone fracture. Our team of specialists at the Iowa Ortho Bone Health Clinic provide patients with a comprehensive review of the factors involved in their bone health while tailoring treatment plans to prevent painful, debilitating bone fractures.

A fracture or broken bone occurs when the bone isn’t strong enough to withstand a fall or physical force, creating a break. In older adults, breaks are usually due to either a loss of bone or poor bone quality. This is a painless disease (unless you break something). Often, the only visible symptom is a fracture, loss of height or increased deformity of your spine.

The risk of osteoporosis comes from many issues such as: prior fractures, genetics, a parent/relative with a prior fracture, height loss, diabetes, low weight (either now or as a teenager), medications used to treat common diseases (COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, seizures) or certain medical conditions (diabetes is an example).

During your first visit at our Bone Health Clinic, our Bone Health Specialists will review your personal and family health history, medications, activities and pain to determine your risk. This may lead to obtaining appropriate lab and imaging such as bone density testing (DXA, and/or QCT) or further x-rays. The results will indicate the next plan of action. The testing, discussion with the bone health provider, and results may happen within the same appointment visit. You can expect this initial visit to take approximately one hour.

Our specialists partner with the National Osteoporosis Foundation, International Osteoporosis Foundation, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and American Society of Bone and Mineral Research to stay up-to-date on the latest treatment and technologies to treat osteoporosis and bone disease.

Our Bone Health Clinic closely works with all of the providers at Iowa Ortho to provide exceptional, integrated care. Patients can be seen at our downtown Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Pella, and Newton clinics.