Osteoporosis is common as the population is ageing. People don’t know that they have osteoporosis unless they do screening test. People with osteoporosis do not exhibit any symptoms unless they have fracture. By the time fracture occurs it is a little too late.

You can detect osteoporosis with a simple screening test called Bone Density Scan (BMD scan). It is recommended to do BMD scan for men and women above 50 or ladies after menopause. Early treatment can reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures significantly.

You can approach your doctor regarding osteoporosis screening. Alternatively, Spring Hope Orthopaedic Spine Surgery provides screening for osteoporosis which includes BMD scan, Xrays and blood tests.

Author: Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho), Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore