Bone Health

Bone Health service at Blackrock Health 

Our Bone Health service is led by our consultants in Rheumatology. Treatments for established osteoporosis may include exercise, vitamin and mineral supplements and medications. Exercise and supplementation are often suggested to help you prevent osteoporosis. Weight-bearing, resistance and balance exercises are all important. 

Bone health is critical to your overall well-being. Healthy bones help protect us against falls and fractures that can occur with ageing. Bone deterioration may be accelerated by lack of exercise, smoking, and inadequate calcium intake. Osteoporosis, which is a decline in the density of our bones, increases the risk of fracture when bones have become more fragile.

Blackrock Health is home to some of the most established private orthopaedic faculties in Ireland. We can carry out minimally invasive surgeries in hi-tech facilities across all our hospitals. We offer comprehensive musculoskeletal care, with dedicated inpatient orthopaedic and spinal wards. If you have day-case surgery, our team will care for you on our comfortable day wards.  

We offer the full range of orthopaedics, including consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare. Our orthopaedic consultants are internationally recognised and conduct thousands of procedures every year. Our hospitals have expert multi-disciplinary teams - including clinical nurse specialists and physiotherapists. And we use the latest technology, from robot surgery to spinal navigation techniques and real-time imaging. 

Orthopaedics at Blackrock Clinic 

Blackrock Clinic is also one of the first private hospitals in Ireland to use the Irish National Orthopaedic Register (INOR). This is a national database informing on orthopaedic surgeries and outcomes in Ireland.  The aim of this register is to improve patient outcomes. Both the Hermitage Clinic and Galway Clinic are expected to enroll with INOR in 2023. 

Accessing our services 

You can access our services quickly and easily with a referral from your GP and can then enjoy world-class clinical care and comfort. Over 75% of our rooms are single occupancy - to help you make a quicker recovery in a safe environment. We aim to provide you with best possible outcome, and to restore your quality of life. 

Our expert team 

• Dietitians
• Occupational therapists
• Orthopaedic physicians
• Physiotherapists

How can Blackrock Health's Bone Health help? 

Blackrock Health offers a bone health service to our patients. This offers prevention and treatment options for those with Osteoporosis.

Patients with osteoporosis can benefit from a bone health service in several ways. 

First, early detection and prevention of osteoporosis through regular screening.  Tests include X-rays, but the most common and accurate way to diagnose osteoporosis is through a DEXA scan. This allows for early intervention and better outcomes for those at risk of developing the disease.

 Second, our bone health service increases patient access to information. This provides education on how to maintain healthy bones. 

Finally, patients who receive treatment from a bone health service typically have fewer fractures. This is due to better preventive strategies and improved treatment options.

Osteoporosis 

The word ‘osteoporosis' means ‘porous bone.' It is a disease that weakens bones, and if you have it, you are at a greater risk for sudden and unexpected bone fractures. Osteoporosis means that you have less bone mass and strength. The disease often develops without any symptoms or pain. It is usually not discovered until the weakened bones cause painful fractures. Most of these are fractures of the hip, wrist and spine.

It is estimated that one in three women, and one in five men, will suffer from osteoporosis-related fractures in their lifetime. So what are the factors that affect our bone health? And how can we prevent or manage osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, a “Silent Disease”

Osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. Indeed, fracture can often be the first symptom. By that time, a person with osteoporosis may already have lost 30% or more of their bone mass. If bone health is dealt with as early as possible, patients can minimise long-term symptoms.

Our goal is to evaluate patients at an early stage. This can help prevent and limit manifestations of the disease, including the major complication - bone fractures. 

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Osteoporosis is typically diagnosed through a series of tests. These tests include the use of X-rays, but the most common and accurate way to diagnose osteoporosis is through a DEXA scan. A DEXA scan stands for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and measures bone mineral density (BMD) in different areas of the body. The machine captures a detailed picture of the patient’s bones. This can be used to predict which individuals are at risk for fractures due to having low bone density or osteoporosis. It is an effective method for detecting bone mineral density changes over time. For this reason, it is an important tool for health professionals looking to diagnose and prevent osteoporosis.

Risk of Osteoporosis 

• Age 
• Gender
• Family Health
• Low body weight 
• Dietary factors
• Medical conditions 
• Medications

Bearing all this in mind, here are some of the prescribing options open to our Bone Health team when dealing with our patients.

1. Bisphosphonates: These are medicines that help to slow down bone loss in individuals with certain grades of osteoporosis.
2. Hormone therapy: This is often prescribed to women who have gone through menopause. These medicines can help raise oestrogen and testosterone levels and reduce bone loss in certain cases.
3. Calcium supplements: A vitamin D supplement may also be recommended. This helps the body absorb calcium more effectively and reduce bone loss over time.
4. Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs): These medications help regulate hormones. This can help improve symptoms of osteoporosis.
5. Denosumab injections: This injectable medication is used primarily for post-menopausal women. It helps increase the strength of bones by stopping cells from breaking them down further, slowing the progression of the disease.
6. Teriparatide (Forteo): This medicine is a synthetic form of human parathyroid hormone. It helps build stronger bones by stimulating new bone growth.
7. Vitamin K2 supplements: Vitamin K2 aids in calcium absorption into the bones. It is thought to be more effective when taken with Vitamin D3 supplements as well as calcium intake. It supports better bone health and bone density.

How do I access Orthopaedic services? 

My health insurance and costs for Orthopaedic services