The Bone Health Program of Washington University School of Medicine offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating metabolic bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of bone, and to recommending preventive and therapeutic measures. The program was established in the early 1990s, and has since represented the premiere referral center for patients with metabolic skeletal disorders. Regarded as one of the premier programs in the U.S. for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, the Bone Health Program combines world-renowned medical specialists in bone disorders with state-of-the-art technology to deliver definitive evaluation and medical consultation. Medical services may include an individualized set of tests, thorough physical examination, measurements of bone mineral density, X-rays, and blood and urinary laboratory tests. In some complex and rare cases, a bone biopsy may be ordered. With this careful analysis, the medical specialist recommends appropriate preventive or therapeutic action.

The physician specialists of the Bone Health Program are leading experts in the clinical management of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases, most of them are ISCD Certified Clinical Densitometrists. Since the Bone Health Program is committed to the highest standards of quality in bone health evaluation, all personnel performing bone density testing are ISCD Certified Bone Density Technologists. Patients are seen at two different locations, the Center for Advanced Medicine in the Washington University Medical Center, and in the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital campus, about 12 miles west of the main medical center. Click here for information about appointments and referrals. Many innovations in therapies and treatment for osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases have originated through the clinical research activities of the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases.

For information on current clinical trials on osteoporosis and other related bone health studies, visit the Clinical Research Unit page. In addition to clinical care and research, the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases is dedicated to prevention and education about bone diseases. The Division offers community lectures and support groups for the public, and continuing medical education seminars for physicians and medical professionals. Visit our Patient Resources page for more information about osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone and other metabolic bone disorders.