Bone Health

It's important to diagnose osteoporosis early and begin treatment quickly. Emanuel Medical Center offers tests and procedures to help diagnose osteoporosis and other bone disorders.

Diagnostic Services for Osteoporosis in Turlock

Bone disorders don't discriminate. People of all ages can suffer from aching and brittle bones at any time. Fortunately, the orthopedic doctors and staff at Emanuel Medical Center are here to help you have healthy bones for life and get pain relief if you already have a bone disorder, such as osteoporosis. We aim to help you regain a more active lifestyle without worrying about complications from minor breaks and bumps.

You can do many things to keep your bones strong and healthy; we’re here to help. We provide preventive care, health education and some of the latest technology in the industry that goes hand in hand with experience and dedication.

It's never too late to take care of your bones. Count on Emanuel Medical Center for advanced and compassionate care, always.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Bone is a living tissue that changes over time, just like the other tissues in your body. Our body naturally breaks down old, damaged bone and replaces it with new bone. This process is called bone remodeling, which happens every 7 to 10 years after becoming an adult. As you get older or after age 30 to 40, your bones break down faster than your body can replace them, which is normal. However, poor nutrition and lack of exercise can lead to bone loss or osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bones causing them to become thinner, weaker and more likely to break. Many people have it and don't even know it because bone loss happens over a long period and may only notice changes until a bone breaks.

Although weak bones can affect men and women at any age due to poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, women are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men. Women lose estrogen during menopause, which causes rapid bone loss. They also have smaller and thinner bones than men.

What Causes Osteoporosis?

Losing bone mass is natural as you age. However, many factors can increase your chance of developing osteoporosis.

Risk factors you can control:

• Diet - getting too little calcium and vitamin D can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis
  

• Physical activity - having a sedentary lifestyle and not exercising for long periods weakens bones


• Body weight - being underweight


• Smoking - nicotine can keep your body from using calcium in your diet and trigger early menopause in women


• Alcohol - women should only consume no more than one alcoholic beverage a day, while men should have no more than two drinks per day


• Medicines - long-term use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and proton pump inhibitors, can cause bone loss

Risk factors you can't control:

• Age - your risk for osteoporosis increases as you age


• Gender - women lose bone faster than men because of hormone changes after menopause


• Ethnicity - Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to have osteoporosis


• Family History - having a close family member who has osteoporosis or has broken a bone

What Are the Signs of Osteoporosis?

The problem with osteoporosis is that people who have it don't know they have it until severe symptoms appear, such as frequent broken bones or fractures, low back pain and hunched back.

What Does Osteoporosis Pain Feel Like?

Osteoporosis does not present any symptoms until it's too late. Screening is vital to catch osteoporosis early. A bone mineral density test is a quick, safe and painless procedure that measures how strong or dense your bones are and whether you already have osteoporosis or osteopenia (also called pre-osteoporosis).

Prevention and Treatment

Osteoporosis is not entirely preventable, but there are some steps you can take to prevent or reduce your risks, such as:

• Eat a healthy diet and take adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Depending on your age, you should get a minimum of 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Include nonfat and low-fat dairy products, dried beans, salmon, spinach and broccoli in your diet. Make sure to have 800 IU of vitamin D daily through sunlight and supplements.
• Perform weight-bearing and strength-training exercises regularly to help build strong bones. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the exercises recommended for your age.
• Avoid smoking.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Prevent falls.

Insurances Accepted and Payment Plan Options

Don't wait until you have osteoporosis to improve your bone and joint health. Start your journey to better bones at Emanuel Medical Center today.

When you come to us for help, we will provide you with all the information you need to make it easier for you to make important healthcare decisions, including financial obligations. We've made it easier for you to make payment arrangements that fit your budget through out-of-pocket prices and procedures for your peace of mind.

We work with various insurance providers and offer flexible payment plans for most treatments and procedures, including but not limited to knee, hip and back procedures. Please contact your insurance carrier directly if you have specific questions about your covered services and benefits.   

Visit our pricing information and estimates page for an overview of your costs and options for a treatment or procedure. If you have an upcoming procedure or have a surgery you've been putting off, our dedicated staff is ready to address your questions and help make financial arrangements. Please call 833-850-5053 or watch this short video to learn how we make healthcare more affordable. For questions about billing, payment plans, pricing information and estimates, please visit our patient financial resources page for more details.

Find an Orthopedic Doctor in Turlock

If you think you are at risk for developing osteoporosis or have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, Emanuel Medical Center is your destination for bone, joint and muscle care in Turlock. 

Make time for your joint and bone health today. Speak with one of our experienced orthopedic doctors for proper diagnosis and advice on the best treatment options for your condition.

Please call 833-850-5053 or find an orthopedic doctor here near your location. If you have joint pain after an injury, such as broken bones or severe bleeding, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Please don't delay care.

If you have joint pain after an injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.