Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. this disease affects over 10 million Americans.

What about osteoporosis? This is serious as are broken bones, also called fractures. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, one in two women and one in five men over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. This disease causes more than 2 million fractures each year, including about:

• 300,000 hip fractures
• 550,000 vertebral (spinal or backbone) fractures
• 400,000 wrist fractures
• 135,000 pelvic fractures
• 675,000 other fractures

To prevent broken bones, many people have been given medication from a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. These include Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel and Reclast ( All retail drug names, not generic). Studies have shown that in many people taking these medications to help reduce the chance of broken bones, osteonecrosis of the jaw has occurred…that is a rare but serious damage to the jawbone itself.

If you think you have a problem and suffer from 1) an area of exposed bone that does not heal after more than 8 weeks, 2) have to history of radiation to the head or neck area, and 3) is taking or has taken bisphosphonates, then you should be checked by your dentist or physician for this possibility. About 94% of people diagnosed with  osteonecrosis are cancer patients who are receiving or did receive  repeated high doses of bisphosphoantes through IV infusion. The other 6% were people taking oral bisphosphonates.

Chances are small that a “normal” individual who is taking  bisphosphonate medication will develop osteonecrosis but the results are unknown. Ask your health provider before you endeavor to take these class of drugs about the risks involved and your probability of getting this disease. I always tell my patients and clients, “know before you go.” Dr Eric Shapira

Posted on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 11:57 am in Good Health .