Osteoporosis screening

During your visit, a MinuteClinic provider will review your medical history. They may also perform a physical exam and evaluate whether you need laboratory studies or diagnostic tests. They will also develop a treatment plan for you based on your results.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

You may be at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis based on the following:

• Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to develop osteoporosis.
• Gender: Although men can develop osteoporosis, women are more likely to develop it.
• Race: Osteoporosis is most common in those of European or Asian descent.
• Family history: If you have a history of osteoporosis in your family, you may have a genetic predisposition for it.
• Lifestyle: Smoking, poor diet choices, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse and the long-term use of certain medications (such as corticosteroids) can lead to osteoporosis.
• Alcohol/tobacco consumption: Long-term and excessive use of alcohol or tobacco put you at greater risk for osteoporosis.
• Low levels of physical activity: Regular exercise helps maintain calcium in the bones. This also builds muscle strength to help prevent falls. Inactivity causes muscles to become weaker, increasing the risk of falling and leading to osteoporosis fractures.
• Hormones: Abnormal estrogen or testosterone hormone levels can result in osteoporosis.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as celiac disease, kidney or liver disease, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis can put you at greater risk for developing osteoporosis.

The signs of osteoporosis are often difficult to notice until a fracture occurs, but there are subtle signs that your bones may be becoming more brittle. Some common signs include:

• Back pain
• Unexplained weight or height loss
• Bone fractures occurring after minimal force or a falling injury

During an osteoporosis screening, a provider will usually measure your bone density. To do this, a provider uses devices that measure how much bone mass is left in areas such as your fingers, wrists or heels. Depending on your results, the provider will then be able to determine if you are at risk for developing osteoporosis and advise on preventative measures. This could include suggesting that you take supplements or encouraging you to make lifestyle changes.

If you have a high risk of getting osteoporosis, you may want to consider booking an in-person visit at your local MinuteClinic. In particular, the USPSTF (U.S. Preventative Services Task Force) recommends osteoporosis screenings for women 65 years or older.