Osteoporosis symptoms, causes and treatments. Find out if you’re at risk. – Osteoporosis Xplained

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More than 4.7 million Australians over 50 are affected by osteoporosis and osteopenia1

In Australia, a bone is broken every 3-4 minutes due to poor bone health2. 80% of people with a bone fracture are not being properly checked and treated for osteoporosis3.

Jane's story will help you find out if you are at risk of osteoporosis

View the story now

Jane has osteoporosis

Hi, I’m Jane and I’ve got osteoporosis.

It all started a few years ago when I suffered a fracture from a fall. That fall really changed my life. In a moment I went from being completely independent, to having to rely on other people. It was only after I had another fracture that I was finally diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Now that I know I have osteoporosis, I have taken control of my bone health!

I hope that after you read my story, you will discuss your bones and the chances of you getting a fracture with your doctor. Don’t wait until you break your bones to get your bone health sorted!

Find out your risk of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is often not diagnosed until after a fracture. Click below to find out if you could be at risk of osteoporosis.

Meet the Xperts involved in Osteoporosis Xplained

Check out the line up of experts that have been involved with Osteoporosis Xplained!
Photo of Professor John Eisman

Professor John Eisman

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Photo of Professor Markus Seibel

Professor Markus Seibel

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Photo of Dr Chrys Michaelides

Dr Chrys Michaelides

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Photo of Ann Robinson

Ann Robinson

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Produced in Partnership With

Osteoporosis Australia

Osteoporosis Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation focussed on strong bones for a life without fractures.

Currently over 165,000 broken bones occur each year due to poor bone health4. Understanding the risks for osteoporosis and early intervention can help prevent broken bones.

Know Your Bones is an online self-assessment tool which reviews risk factors for poor bone heath. Complete the online self-assessment and your report will show any risks and provide recommendations which can be discussed with your doctor.

osteoporosis.org.au

Medicine X Story

Working as a medical doctor I realised that far too many people are confused about their diagnoses, their conditions, and their treatments. The language that doctors use, and what every day people understand, can be two totally different things.

We believe everyone should feel informed and empowered, so they can engage with their doctors and be involved in making medical decisions. That’s why Medicine X isn’t just another boring and complicated fact sheet – we explain medical issues through stories based on real people! It’s relatable, simple and gives you the information you need!

We hope this helps you in your journey!

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Dr. Kim Chilman-Blair
Founder, Medicine X

About Osteoporosis Xplained

Real People

The Osteoporosis Xplained story is based on a real person — Jane! It reflects her story, her experiences and her advice to others. There have also been lots of people who contributed along the way with their stories and advice. Thanks to everyone who helped create Osteoporosis Xplained!

Our Team

The Medicine X team are doctors, artists and creative writers who all work to make sure of one thing — the information is easy to understand. No more medical jargon! Everything is correct and up-to-date!

Experts

Osteoporosis Xplained has been reviewed by experts in the field of bone health to ensure all of our medical content is accurate, up-to-date and relevant.
1,2,4: https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/sites/default/files/files/Burden%20of%20Disease%20Analysis%202012-2022.pdf 3: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1359/jbmr.040905

The information provided by Medicine X is of a general nature and is not meant to be exhaustive or apply to your specific medical needs. Any information shouldn’t substitute or overrule the advice, diagnosis or treatment suggested by your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Medicine X websites, apps, email communications or in our communities. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.

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© Medicine X 2021. All rights reserved.

Professor John Eisman

John Eisman is an endocrinologist with 40 years’ experience in diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and bone and calcium disorders.

He led the osteoporosis research unit at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research since 1984 and is the senior staff specialist in endocrinology at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

His major commitment and focus is translating osteoporosis research findings to real improvements in healthcare delivery to the general community through the education of patients, carers and doctors.

Professor Markus Seibel

Markus J Seibel is professor of endocrinology at the University of Sydney. He heads the Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism at Concord Hospital and the Bone Research Program at ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney. Professor Seibel is a past-president of the Australian New Zealand Bone & Mineral Society (ANZBMS) and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies (IFMRS). Being an active clinician in the field of osteoporosis, he is passionate about secondary fracture prevention. In 2017, he was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy for Health and Medical Sciences.

Dr Chrys Michaelides

Dr Chrys Michaelides has a special interest in the management of chronic diseases. He has been running structured miniclinic care of diabetes since 1988, and has been involved in multi-disciplinary diabetes programmes at a community level since the early 1990’s, initially with a podiatrist and dietitian. He serves on numerous advisory boards dealing with GP education for the development of programmes to help optimise outcomes for GPs and their patients through a structured care model. His current model of care is the fully integrated team approach of chronic disease management with exercise physiologist, psychologist, podiatrist, dietitian, practice nurse, and clinical measurement nurse. Recently, Dr Michaelides has expanded his structured approach to include osteoporosis.

Ann Robinson

Ann Robinson is an endorsed nurse practitioner (NP) with experience in both the public and private sectors in Queensland. With a background in diabetes and endocrine nursing her main area of clinical work is bone health and fracture prevention in high risk populations. Ann is committed to raising osteoporosis awareness with health professionals to increase treatment uptake and reduce devastating osteoporotic fractures.

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Before you go… please tell us if we have helped.

After visiting Osteoporosis Xplained, would you talk to your GP about osteoporosis?

Yes
No
No, I have already been diagnosed
Thanks for answering the question. If you still have questions about osteoporosis, please speak to your GP and visit knowyourbones.org.

Would you like to find out if you’re at risk of osteoporosis?

Ok, let's start
No thanks
Thanks for answering the question. If you would like to find out more about osteoporosis, please speak to your GP and visit knowyourbones.org.

Have you ever had a fracture/broken bone since turning 50?

No
Yes

What is your age?

Under 50
Thanks for checking if you're at risk – individuals who have had a fracture since turning 50 are at a risk of osteoporosis, however there are many risk factors that should also be taken into consideration. Please speak to your GP and visit knowyourbones.org for more info.
50 to 60
Thanks for checking if you're at risk – individuals who have had a fracture since turning 50 are at a risk of osteoporosis, and there are many other risk factors that should also be taken into consideration. Please speak to your GP and visit Know Your Bones to take the full bone health assessment.
60 to 70
Thanks for checking if you're at risk – your answers indicate that you may be at risk. Please speak to your GP and visit Know Your Bones to take the full bone health assessment.
70 to 80
Thanks for checking if you're at risk – your answers indicate that you may be at risk. Please speak to your GP and visit Know Your Bones to take the full bone health assessment.
80+
Thanks for checking if you're at risk – your answers indicate that you may be at risk. Please speak to your GP and visit Know Your Bones to take the full bone health assessment.

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