Yale Bone Center

• Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Bone Diseases
• Staffed by faculty from The Yale School of Medicine
• International experts in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these disorders including osteoporosis and Paget's Disease of bone

The Mission of the Center

Established in 1987, our team of clinicians, nurses, nutritionists and therapists is committed to providing state-of-the-art comprehensive care. As full-time faculty and staff of Yale, we are uniquely qualified to ensure that the best treatment options are recommended to you.

Osteoporosis Screening

Osteoporosis, a common bone disease, is an area of particular expertise at the Yale Bone Center. Measuring your bone density is recommended to determine your risk for this condition. The Yale Bone Center offers a screening program for this purpose and provides your doctor with a complete report that includes information about your individual risk factors for bone loss.

Physical Therapy

Therapists specifically trained in the prevention and treatment of metabolic bone disorders educate you in ways to improve strength, maintain mobility and preserve independence.

Dietary Consultation

Center staff includes a dietitian with 20 years of experience in helping patients choose the correct diet for bone health. She is available for individual consultation. A nutrition class is also offered.

Orthopedic Services

• The Yale Spine Center
• The Yale Foot Clinic
• Sports Medicine Center

Yale Bone Center Clinicians

Karl L. Insogna, M.D.
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Director, Yale Bone Center

John Wysolmerski, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Section of Endocrinology

Barbara I. Gulanski, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Section of Endocrinology

Elizabeth Holt, M.D., Ph.D.
Section of Endocrinology

Arthur Broadus, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine and Cellular & Molecular Physiology
Chief, Section of Endocrinology

Uszula Masiukiewicz, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Section of Endocrinology

Thomas Carpenter, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
Director, Pediatric Endocrine Bone Program

Gary Friedlaendar, M.D.
Wayne O. Southwick Professor and Chairman
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

For more information and appointments call 203-737-1932.

Building and keeping healthy bones. Bone is a living tissue. It is not simply an "erector set" that keeps us upright but must renew itself throughout life. Bone health at any age requires a healthy lifestyle, a well balanced diet with plenty of calcium and regular exercise. These factors are important in childhood and adolescence to achieve the strongest bones possible and for maintaining bone health in adulthood. Although normal levels of sex hormones are important throughout life, the decision about hormone replacement therapy is especially important at the time of the menopause in women. Hormones are not right for everyone and other treatments to protect your bones are now available.

Bone Density and bone health. "Healthy bones" mean, strong bones. Bone strength is determined by measuring its density. Density testing, or densitometry, allows us to precisely determine how strong your bones are. Dual energy x-ray densitometry (DEXA) is the best densitometry method. It takes only minutes and can measure bone mass in the spine, hip, and wrist. You simply lie on a table and a scan beam passes over you. It uses much less radiation than a chest x-ray.

Osteopenia and Osteoporosis. We now know that the lower your bone density the greater the risk of fracture. This risk is determined by comparing your bone mass to healthy young adults of the same sex. The World Health Organization has established diagnostic criteria for osteopenia and osteoporosis based on bone density measurements. Osteopenia means a somewhat reduced bone density. When a person's bone density is lower than the density in 98% of young adults, a diagnosis of osteoporosis is established. If fractures are also present, you have severe osteoporosis.

How valuable is measuring bone density? Knowing your bone density will help you and your physician determine your risk for osteoporotic fractures. This information will enable you to choose specific options to prevent or treat bone loss. Where can I get my bone density measured? The Yale Bone Center offers bone densitometry as part of its comprehensive program to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Densitometry tests can be scheduled by calling (203) 785-7667 at any time.