Osteoporosis Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is osteoporosis management?
Osteoporosis management is a long-term plan to strengthen thinning bones and prevent the fractures they cause. Osteoporosis itself causes no symptoms; its first sign is often a broken wrist, hip or spinal bone after a fall or strain that a healthy bone would withstand. Management therefore looks ahead, at your overall risk of a future fracture, and uses treatment, nutrition, exercise and falls prevention to reduce it.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, osteoporosis is managed by the orthopedic team, which sees many patients for the first time after a fracture and makes sure the bone health behind that fracture is treated as well as the break itself.
Who needs it
Osteoporosis management is for people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis on a bone density scan, and for those at high risk of fractures, including:
- Anyone who has broken a bone in a fall from standing height or less, especially after the age of fifty
- Women after menopause, particularly early menopause
- People with a loss of height or a new curve in the upper back, which can signal spinal fractures
- People taking long-term steroid tablets, or with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, overactive thyroid, coeliac disease or long-term kidney disease
- Men over seventy, and men with low testosterone, since osteoporosis also affects men
- People with a parent who broke a hip
Low vitamin D is common in the UAE despite year-round sunshine, because heat keeps people indoors and covered clothing limits sun exposure on the skin, and it contributes to weaker bones.
What happens
The assessment brings together your history, including previous fractures, falls, medicines, menopause and family history, with an examination that includes your height and posture. A bone density (DEXA) scan measures the density of the hip and spine; the scan itself is carried out by Radiology. Blood tests check vitamin D, calcium, kidney function and, where relevant, thyroid and other hormones, because some causes of bone loss are treatable in their own right.
Your specialist combines these results into an estimate of your fracture risk over the coming years and explains what it means for you. The treatment plan then usually includes:
- Bone-strengthening medicine, where your risk justifies it. Several types exist, given as tablets, injections or infusions, and your specialist explains the options, how each is taken, and how long treatment lasts.
- Vitamin D and calcium, from diet and supplements as needed, at a level your doctor recommends.
- Exercise, particularly weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activity, and balance training.
- Falls prevention, including a review of medicines that cause dizziness, eyesight, footwear and hazards at home.
Preparing for it
Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements, any previous bone density reports, X-rays of past fractures, and recent blood test results. Note any falls in the past year, how they happened, and any loss of height you have noticed.
If you are being referred after a fracture, bring the discharge letter or fracture clinic notes. Wear clothing without metal fastenings on the day of a bone density scan, and follow any instructions about pausing calcium supplements before the scan.
Afterwards
Osteoporosis management is ongoing. Bone-strengthening treatment works over months and years, and follow-up appointments check that you are taking it correctly, tolerating it well, and that your vitamin D level is where it should be. A repeat bone density scan is arranged at intervals your specialist sets, and the plan is reviewed to decide whether to continue, change or pause treatment. Keeping active and making your home safer continue to protect you throughout.
Contact the hospital if you develop side effects from treatment, such as persistent indigestion, jaw or thigh pain, or if you notice sudden back pain or loss of height. Go to the emergency department straight away if you fall and are unable to stand or put weight on a leg, or if you develop sudden severe back pain after a fall.
Cost and insurance
Consultations, blood tests and bone density scans for osteoporosis are covered by most UAE health insurance plans when there is a clinical reason, although screening scans without risk factors are sometimes excluded. Bone-strengthening medicines, particularly injections and infusions, often need pre-approval. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Can osteoporosis be reversed?
Osteoporosis treatment can increase bone density and substantially lower the risk of fractures, although bones rarely return fully to normal. The aim of management is to reduce your chance of breaking a bone, and your specialist explains what your treatment can realistically achieve.
What are the risks of osteoporosis medicines?
Osteoporosis medicines can cause side effects such as indigestion with tablets, flu-like symptoms after an infusion, and, rarely, problems with the jawbone or an unusual thigh fracture. For most people at high fracture risk, the benefit of preventing fractures outweighs these risks. Your specialist explains the risks of your chosen treatment and how to reduce them.
Why was I told to have a dental check before starting treatment?
A dental check is advised before some osteoporosis medicines because a rare jawbone problem is linked to dental extractions during treatment. Completing any needed dental work first, and keeping good dental hygiene, lowers this risk.
Do men get osteoporosis?
Men do get osteoporosis, and hip fractures in men carry serious consequences. Risk rises in men over seventy and in those taking long-term steroids, with low testosterone, or who drink heavily or smoke.
Is sunshine in the UAE enough for vitamin D?
Sunshine alone often does not keep vitamin D levels healthy in the UAE, because heat keeps people indoors and covered clothing limits skin exposure. A blood test shows your level, and your doctor advises on diet and supplements if it is low.
What exercise helps osteoporosis?
Weight-bearing exercise such as walking, stair climbing and dancing, together with muscle-strengthening and balance training, helps maintain bone and reduce falls. Your specialist or physiotherapist advises on safe exercise if you have had spinal fractures.
Is osteoporosis treatment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover osteoporosis consultations, blood tests and bone density scans when there is a clinical reason, while injectable or infused medicines often need pre-approval. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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