Osteoporosis

Although powerful tools are available for the measurement of bone density, the diagnosis of osteoporosis is still made largely on clinical grounds. Bone density measurement is not recommended for routine screening, but it may be useful in deciding whether to treat high-risk patients and in following the effects of treatment. Estrogen therapy is used for the prevention of osteoporosis in women with early menopause and as treatment within five to seven years of menopause. Several agents currently being tested offer promise in restoring normal strength to osteoporotic bone.