Osteoporosis: Specialty care for bone health

Working with women and men to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Overview

Specialty care for bone health and fractures

As we age, our bones weaken. Women are more likely to get fragile bones (osteoporosis) as they experience the hormone changes that come with menopause, but men can also get osteoporosis. At UW Health, we work with you to prevent and treat osteoporosis, bone fractures and repeat bone breaks.

Symptoms, causes, risks

What you need to know about osteoporosis

As your bones lose calcium and other minerals and proteins, they become weak. This can lead to fractures with normal activities. The most common cause of osteoporosis-related fractures is falling. Bone breaks happen most often in the hip, spine and wrist.

Fragility fractures happen when you fall from a standing height or lower. If you have one fragility fracture, you are twice as likely to have another.

Osteoporosis bone breaks common among older adults

Treatments and research

Strategies to manage osteoporosis

When you come to UW Health for bone loss care, we provide a complete care plan. We talk with you about your lifestyle and life goals. We want you to achieve the best possible quality of life. 

We provide education about fragility fractures. If you know how to prevent bone breaks, they are less likely to happen. If a fracture does occur, we want you to seek care. Untreated fragility fractures can lead to:

  • Depression

  • Inability to fully recover

  • Increased pain

  • Poor health

  • Reduced mobility

Meet our team

Expert care for strong bones

The osteoporosis care team at UW Health in Madison, Wis., includes experts in bone loss, endocrinology, fractures, nutrition, physical therapy and social work.

Patient and support services

Education and support for you

Your osteoporosis care team provides extensive education to help you have strong bones and avoid fractures.

You receive information about:

  • General bone health 

  • Nutrition 

  • Physical therapy 

  • Psychosocial support

Learn more about osteoporosis.

Locations

Osteoporosis care locations

We provide specialty osteoporosis care at UW Health clinics in Madison.