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Fracture Care Clinic (Osteoporosis Care)

Older couple walking outdoors
Older couple walking outdoors

Why choose Ochsner Health for osteoporosis care?

Your bones are the foundation of a healthy, active lifestyle. As you age, bone loss can occur faster than your body can rebuild it, leading to osteoporosis. This is a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.

At Ochsner Health, our Fracture Care Clinics in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Covington, Louisiana provide specialized care for patients who have experienced an osteoporosis-related fracture. We help patients strengthen their bones, lower the risk of future fractures and maintain long-term mobility and independence.

As one of the first programs of its kind in the region, our clinics offer comprehensive osteoporosis treatment and fracture prevention for both men and women. Services include bone density testing, medication management, nutritional counseling and physical therapy. Each patient receives a personalized care plan designed to improve overall bone health and prevent repeat injuries.

Ochsner Health is committed to helping you stay strong, active and fracture-free at every stage of life.

Osteoporosis primarily affects adults over 50, with postmenopausal women being at the highest risk. After age 50, the body’s ability to produce new bone slows, while the rate of bone loss increases. For women, this process accelerates significantly following menopause, as estrogen levels drop. Estrogen is a critical hormone for maintaining bone density, and its decline not only contributes to common menopausal symptoms like hot flashes but also raises the likelihood of developing osteoporosis.

Known as a “silent disease,” osteoporosis progresses without noticeable symptoms. Most people remain unaware of their condition until it results in a fracture. At Ochsner Health’s Fracture Care Clinic, individuals over the age of 50 who have experienced a fracture may be evaluated for underlying bone loss or osteoporosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential steps in reducing the risk of future fractures and fostering long-term bone health.

If your doctor refers you to the Fracture Care Clinic at Ochsner Health, our team will promptly guide you through the next steps for diagnosis and care. During your first visit, you will meet a certified physician assistant who specializes in orthopedic care. They will take time to understand your health history, evaluate your risk factors for osteoporosis, and recommend diagnostic tests, such as blood work or a DEXA scan, an advanced imaging tool that measures bone density with precision.

Our team’s goal is to empower you with lifestyle strategies, including exercises and nutritional guidance, to strengthen your bones. Should you need additional support, we work seamlessly with specialists across endocrinology, primary care, rheumatology, physical therapy and more. Rest assured, at Ochsner Health, we’re committed to helping you reclaim your strength and health every step of the way.

In addition to lifestyle changes that support bone health, several medication options are available to treat osteoporosis. Some osteoporosis medications are taken orally, while others are administered by injection in a medical setting.

Common types of medications used to treat osteoporosis include:

  • Bisphosphonates, such as zoledronic acid, which slow the rate of bone loss

  • Estrogen therapy to help maintain bone density in postmenopausal women

  • Hormone therapy to support overall bone health

  • Parathyroid hormone analogs and related protein analogs, such as abaloparatide, which help stimulate new bone growth and improve bone mass

Additional medications may be prescribed based on your individual needs to either increase bone strength or reduce the speed of further bone loss.

Once your osteoporosis treatment begins, the Fracture Care Clinic team will monitor your progress for six months to a year. After that, your care may be transitioned back to your primary care physician or endocrinologist for long-term management.

FAQs

Smoking harms many aspects of your overall health, including bone health. Smoking interferes with the body’s ability to make bone and absorb calcium.

Being physically active may reduce your risk of falling, but some types of exercise can be detrimental to bone health. These include high-impact activities, such as running and sports that involve jumping. Instead, devote your workouts to strength training and low-impact aerobic activities, such as walking and swimming.

If a loved one has osteoporosis, you can support their health by exercising together, encouraging them to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, and helping them remember to take their medications.

Read more healthy living and lifestyle tips.

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Map of Ochsner-affiliated facilities that provide services related to Fracture Care Clinic (Osteoporosis Care)

Fracture Care Clinic (Osteoporosis Care) Locations

Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital
2810 Ambassador Caffery Parkway
Lafayette, LA 70506
  • : 3:07 a.m.-3:07 a.m.
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove
10310 The Grove Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70836
  • Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans
1514 Jefferson Highway
Jefferson, LA 70121
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Health Center – O'Neal
16777 Medical Center Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
  • Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ochsner Health Center - Covington
1000 Ochsner Blvd.
Covington, LA 70433
  • Mon–Fri: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.