Fracture Prevention

Leaders in Fracture Prevention
Our specialists have extensive expertise in preventing and treating fractures and bone loss. We use comprehensive evaluations to develop personalized fracture prevention plans that optimize your bone health and help you live a full life.
450 Broadway St
Redwood City,
CA
94063
Phone: 650-723-5643
What We Offer You for Fracture Prevention Care
- Specialized expertise in preventing fractures and treating osteoporosis and other bone health problems.
Go to Conditions Treated - Advanced, comprehensive treatment options to help you enhance your bone health, with a focus on fall prevention, lifestyle changes, and medication, when appropriate.
Go to Treatments
- Team-based approach with multiple specialists, including orthopaedists and physical therapists, who create a custom program based on your bone health and lifestyle needs.
Go to Your Care Team - Comprehensive support services to help you and your family focus on health and healing.
Go to Support Services - Ease of access with timely appointments in a comfortable, convenient setting.
Go to Accessing Care
Our team provides complete services to improve bone health and reduce fracture risk so you lead a fuller, healthier life.
BONE LOSS
OSTEOPOROSIS
FRAGILITY FRACTURES
Our specialists help people who have experienced bone loss due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Aging
- Hormonal changes, such as decreasing estrogen during menopause
- Lifestyle factors, including a low-calcium diet, lack of exercise, and smoking
- Osteopenia, low bone mass that may progress to osteoporosis
- Type 1 diabetes
We also treat bone loss in people who are:
- Taking aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer or experiencing premature menopause as a chemotherapy side effect
- Undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
- Being evaluated for an organ transplant or have already received one
This condition weakens bones and causes them to become brittle. In adults over the age of 50, osteoporosis is four times more common in women than in men.
In osteoporosis, the inside of the bone becomes thin because your body does not produce new bone as quickly. This change in bone structure can affect any part of the body, but most often occurs in the:
Osteoporosis in men
While osteoporosis occurs more commonly in women, men tend to have more serious complications, as they typically develop osteoporosis later in life. Men can develop osteoporosis from:
- An underlying condition, such as hypogonadism (low testosterone)
- Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol use
- Medications, such as steroids
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
This type of osteoporosis can result from regularly taking glucocorticoids, medications that treat a variety of conditions that cause inflammation, including:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Skin conditions, such as eczema
Premenopausal or idiopathic osteoporosis
Although osteoporosis usually occurs in older adults, young, healthy people can also develop the condition. Sometimes, the causes are unknown (idiopathic). In premenopausal women, common risk factors include:
- Certain medications, such as anti-seizure medications, certain chemotherapy drugs, or steroids
- Extremes in physical activity (exercising too much or too little)
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Habitual smoking
- History of eating disorders
- Low-calcium diet
- Underlying conditions, such as celiac disease, chronic kidney disease, or hormonal disorders
Postmenopausal osteoporosis
Bone loss is common during menopause when estrogen levels drop significantly. Estrogen is essential for strong, healthy bones. This hormone stimulates the activity of osteoblasts, cells that make bone. With lower levels of estrogen in the body, osteoblasts are less able to form new bone.
These fractures can occur from falls from standing height (or less) or common behaviors, such as bending over or coughing. Having one fragility fracture increases your risk for having additional fractures, especially within the first two years.
Fragility fractures occur in bones weakened by osteoporosis or other bone health conditions, including:
- Bone cysts
- Cancer
- Inherited bone disorders, such as brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta)
- Certain types of infections
Our specialists help people who have experienced bone loss due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Aging
- Hormonal changes, such as decreasing estrogen during menopause
- Lifestyle factors, including a low-calcium diet, lack of exercise, and smoking
- Osteopenia, low bone mass that may progress to osteoporosis
- Type 1 diabetes
We also treat bone loss in people who are:
- Taking aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer or experiencing premature menopause as a chemotherapy side effect
- Undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
- Being evaluated for an organ transplant or have already received one
close BONE LOSS
This condition weakens bones and causes them to become brittle. In adults over the age of 50, osteoporosis is four times more common in women than in men.
In osteoporosis, the inside of the bone becomes thin because your body does not produce new bone as quickly. This change in bone structure can affect any part of the body, but most often occurs in the:
Osteoporosis in men
While osteoporosis occurs more commonly in women, men tend to have more serious complications, as they typically develop osteoporosis later in life. Men can develop osteoporosis from:
- An underlying condition, such as hypogonadism (low testosterone)
- Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol use
- Medications, such as steroids
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
This type of osteoporosis can result from regularly taking glucocorticoids, medications that treat a variety of conditions that cause inflammation, including:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Skin conditions, such as eczema
Premenopausal or idiopathic osteoporosis
Although osteoporosis usually occurs in older adults, young, healthy people can also develop the condition. Sometimes, the causes are unknown (idiopathic). In premenopausal women, common risk factors include:
- Certain medications, such as anti-seizure medications, certain chemotherapy drugs, or steroids
- Extremes in physical activity (exercising too much or too little)
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Habitual smoking
- History of eating disorders
- Low-calcium diet
- Underlying conditions, such as celiac disease, chronic kidney disease, or hormonal disorders
Postmenopausal osteoporosis
Bone loss is common during menopause when estrogen levels drop significantly. Estrogen is essential for strong, healthy bones. This hormone stimulates the activity of osteoblasts, cells that make bone. With lower levels of estrogen in the body, osteoblasts are less able to form new bone.
close OSTEOPOROSIS
These fractures can occur from falls from standing height (or less) or common behaviors, such as bending over or coughing. Having one fragility fracture increases your risk for having additional fractures, especially within the first two years.
Fragility fractures occur in bones weakened by osteoporosis or other bone health conditions, including:
- Bone cysts
- Cancer
- Inherited bone disorders, such as brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta)
- Certain types of infections
close FRAGILITY FRACTURES
Fracture Prevention Treatments
At Stanford Health Care, we help you reduce the most common risk factors for fractures and enhance your bone health. Multiple specialists work together to create a personalized program that considers your specific needs, bone health issues, and lifestyle.
Your customized fracture prevention plan consists of:
Comprehensive Assessment
A complete screening is the foundation of effective fracture prevention. Our assessments start with your medical history. We ask you about any past fractures, family history of bone health disorders, and current or past medications. We review your diet and exercise habits, because certain nutrients and physical activities are vital for optimal bone health.
We also perform physical tests that assess balance and stability and check for signs of bone health problems, such as spine curvatures and height changes.
We may further assess your individual risk factors with these additional exams:
- DEXA scan: A quick, painless imaging test that measures bone density (strength) and determines whether you have osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Lab tests: Tests on samples of blood, urine, and other fluids to help identify possible causes of bone problems
- X-ray: Imaging test that provides detailed pictures of bones, such as the hips or spine, to diagnose fractures or injuries
Fall Prevention
To prevent a fracture, it’s essential to reduce your risk of falling. As part of your program, we may connect you with our physical and occupational therapists, who have extensive expertise in fall prevention.
Physical therapists guide you in safely improving your balance, coordination, flexibility, and strength. Occupational therapists can thoroughly assess your home to help you create a safer environment that protects you from slips and falls. They may recommend adding:
- Bright lights with switches at the top and bottom of the stairs
- Grab bars in the shower and by the toilet
- Handrails on both sides of the stairs
Medications
Your personalized plan may also include medication that slows bone loss or promotes bone growth. Our specialists may prescribe:
- Abaloparatide: A daily injection that acts like your parathyroid hormone, which helps to prevent low calcium levels, to boost bone density and strength
- Bisphosphonates: A commonly prescribed class of medications that slows bone loss and is available as a pill or injection
- Denosumab: An injection every six months that lowers the risk of fractures by reducing bone breakdown
- Romosozumab: A monthly injection that increases bone formation and decreases bone breakdown
- Teriparatide: A daily injection, similar to abaloparatide, that works like the parathyroid hormone to stimulate bone growth
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle factors are significant risk factors for fractures. We work with you to identify the behaviors that may be increasing your risk and support you in adopting healthier habits. Depending on your evaluation results, we may make recommendations in these areas:
Exercise
If you’ve experienced a fracture, you may be hesitant to exercise or move around. However, safe physical activity can strengthen your bones and joints and help improve your balance and flexibility. These gains help reduce your risk of falls or other accidents. Exercise also lessens anxiety and boosts mood.
Our physical therapists create plans that can help you safely:
- Improve your balance and stability
- Increase your endurance and activity level
- Build strength
- Gain flexibility and range of motion
Diet and supplementation
Your diet is another vital part of fracture prevention. Our registered dietitians review your current eating habits and work with you to add any missing nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D. They may recommend eating different foods or taking calcium or vitamin D supplements. Calcium is a building block for your bones, while vitamin D aids your bones in absorbing calcium.
Learn more about our clinical nutritional services, which offer nutritional counseling to support people experiencing a wide range of health conditions.
Smoking cessation
Smoking is a leading cause of bone health problems. However, we understand that quitting can be challenging. This is why we use science-based techniques that we tailor to each person. Our services include:
- One-on-one counseling sessions
- Support groups
- Nicotine replacement and cessation medication
Your Fracture Prevention Care Team
To support you in preventing fractures, we assemble a team of specialists from various fields. Your team includes:

Your Doctors and Providers
Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)
Our skilled nurse practitioners specialize in treating bone health concerns and conditions. They see patients independently and occasionally alongside orthopaedists. Our nurse practitioners can give you a thorough exam, write prescriptions, and help prevent or treat any issues. They meet weekly to discuss patient needs.
View All {0} Advanced Practice Provider DoctorsStanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced sub-specialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.
- Attending Physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school
- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions
- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called “residency”) here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern
- Medical Student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor

Extended Care Team
Your team may include other specialists with exceptional fracture prevention expertise, including:
Occupational therapists are health care professionals who help you safely perform your daily tasks and activities to increase independence.
Physical therapists are medical professionals who diagnose and treat people with injuries, medical conditions, and other concerns that limit their ability to move. Physical therapists help you regain your strength, move more easily, and prevent or reduce pain.
If your diet is low in calcium or vitamin D, making adjustments could help improve your bone health. Our nutrition experts work with you to make healthy, sustainable changes to your eating habits.
Pain management specialists help you reduce pain, increase your quality of life, and return to your daily activities so you can stay independent.
These team members provide you with information and assistance prior to and during your appointment:
- Medical assistants: These professionals work with our team to help provide care. They may prepare you for an examination, assist your doctor, and take your vital signs.
- Patient care coordinators: Our coordinators help you schedule appointments and access your lab results. They are your first line of contact before you see your provider and guide you through your experience at our Fracture Prevention Program.
- Patient access representatives: These team members can answer any questions you have about insurance coverage, assist you with applying for insurance, and refer you to a Stanford Health Care financial counselor.
If you qualify for a clinical trial, our research coordinators guide you through the process. They educate you about what to expect during the study, answer your questions, and schedule your appointments.

Support Services
We offer a vast array of support services to help you to feel your best throughout your care and boost your quality of life.
At Stanford Fracture Prevention Program, we strive to make your visits as accessible, convenient, and comfortable as possible. We make every effort to coordinate your appointments so you can see multiple specialists during a single visit. We offer both safe in-person visits and video appointments, when appropriate.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
To request an appointment with a fracture prevention specialist, call 650-723-5643.