Osteoporosis Center
Bone Health
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. There are no outward symptoms until a fracture occurs. Early diagnosis, prevention and treatment are key in preventing further damage and bone loss.
The Osteoporosis Center at St. Luke's Hospital offers:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) testing
- Consultation with an osteoporosis specialist
Testing and Assessment
Osteoporosis is under-diagnosed and under-treated. There are no symptoms until a fracture occurs. Common sites for fracture include the hip, spine and wrist.
Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is key in preventing further damage and bone loss. Bone mineral density (BMD) testing can identify individuals at increased risk for fractures, assess a patient's current condition and be used to help monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (or DXA), a form of X-ray technology, can measure bone loss.
This test requires a physician order or referral. A physician can order this service individually or in combination with a physician consultation.
Risk Factors
- Personal history of fracture after age 50
- Low bone mineral density
- Family history of osteoporosis or fracture
- Low body weight (<127 lbs)
- Amenorrhea
- Menopause
- Low testosterone levels in men
- Corticosteroids
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- Anorexia
- Malabsorption (celiac disease, Crohn's disease)
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic low calcium intake
- Seizure medications
Treatment
Treatment of osteoporosis involves a combination of nutrition, exercise, medication and fall prevention. These treatments can effectively reduce fractures by up to 70 percent. Bone is a dynamic tissue and bone turnover is a constant process. At all ages it is important to get adequate calcium, vitamin D and exercise to help prevent osteoporosis.
St. Luke's Physical Therapy department provides a comprehensive Bone Builders Osteoporosis program to help you maintain an active, healthy lifestyle and healthy bones for life.
Location
The Osteoporosis Center of St. Luke's Hospital
St. Luke's Desloge Outpatient Center
121 St. Luke's Center Drive, Suite 504
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314-205-6633
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Additional Testing Locations
St. Luke's also offers DXA bone mineral density testing at these outpatient locations (the test requires a physician order or referral):
St. Luke's Women's Center at St. Luke's Hospital
232 S. Woods Mill Road, Suite 200 East
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314-205-6267
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St. Luke's Women's Center - Chesterfield Valley
6 McBride & Son Drive, Suite 102
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636-530-5505
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St. Luke's RAYUS Radiology - Midwest Breast Careopens in a new tab
450 North New Ballas Road, Suite 250 North
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-567-4449
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St. Luke’s RAYUS Radiology - St. Petersopens in a new tab
5200 Executive Center Parkway, Suite 400
St. Peters, MO. 63376
636-229-4247
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St. Luke’s RAYUS Radiology - O’Fallon (WingHaven)opens in a new tab
5551 WingHaven Blvd., Suite 60
O’Fallon, MO. 63368
636-625-4434
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Director of the Osteoporosis Center
Katharine H. Mikulec, MD, is the director of the Osteoporosis Center. Dr. Mikulec received her Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. After completing a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology at Stanford University Medical School, Dr. Mikulec did a fellowship in Osteoporosis at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She is board certified in Endocrinology and is a member of the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry.