Bone Health Program

Choosing MUSC for your osteoporosis treatment.

MUSC Health's Bone Health Program is the state’s largest and most complete center for osteoporosis treatment. It has all the needed resources available to give you the best care possible including the following:

• Inpatient Fragility Fracture Liaison Service
• Detailed bone health screening for those at low and high risk alike
• Same day bone scans (DEXA scans) with clinical evaluations
• Full range of surgical, clinical and procedural services including spine, orthopaedic, rheumatology, endocrinology, radiology, and physical/occupational therapy specialists
• Patient education

What is a fragility fracture?

• A fragility fracture is a broken bone related to weakened bones.
• A minor event such as falling from standing, or during coughing, twisting or straining can cause a fragility fracture- most often in the hip, wrist, spine or foot.
• After having a hip fracture, many people can no longer live independently and may need to live with family or go to a nursing home, after discharge from the hospital.

Am I at risk of a fragility fracture?

• The older you are, the higher your risk; almost half of all adults age 50 or older are at risk for a broken bone and should be concerned about bone health
• One out of every two women and one in four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime
• People who have had one fragility fracture, have higher risk for another fracture, if they do not receive treatment for osteoporosis.
• Family history of bone loss or fragility fracture
• Low body weight
• Ethnicity: highest risk for Caucasian and Asian women. African American and Hispanic women have lower risk, yet it is still significant.
• Life style: Inactivity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, low vitamin D and calcium levels

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?

• Osteoporosis is called a “silent disease” because there are no symptoms.
• People with osteoporosis may not know they have it, until they break a bone.
• If the spine is affected, there may be severe back pain, loss of height, or stooping posture.