Posts Tagged ‘Bone Turnover’
AAOS Asks: Which Medication is “Best” After a Fracture?
Here at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, the most common question is: “Which Osteoporosis Medication should I use after a fracture?” We need to know how each type of medication works to answer that.
Immediately after a fracture, or a surgery on bone, or a tooth extraction, you want a medicine which will not slow down bone healing. Better yet, you would like to stimulate bone formation and remodeling. Anabolic Medications do that. Teriparatide (Forteo) is the Anabolic available in the USA.
Osteoclasts Gone Wild Revisited
Osteoclasts are the cells that eat away bone. Osteoclasts are normally kept under control by Estrogen in women and Testosterone in men. Women lose Estrogen suddenly at Menopause. Men lose Testosterone gradually over time.
Osteoclasts are much like teenagers. They behave only as long as controls are in place. Once control is lost, it is “Osteoclasts Gone Wild”.
Fosamax
Fosamax (Alendronate) was the first widely used pill for Osteoporosis in this country. It is taken weekly on an empty stomach followed by at least 8 ounces of water. No other food or drink is allowed for at least half an hour. Fosamax is one of the Bisphosphonates and has all of the potential benefits and risks of that class. The most common problems are heartburn, GERD and esophagus and stomach issues.