Bone Health and Osteoporosis

We care for your bones so you can keep doing the things you love. From treatment and nutrition advice, to exercise and surgery support, we’re here to help you heal, prevent fractures, and stay strong for life.

Our Mission

The UTHealth Houston Bone Health Clinic is committed to the comprehensive evaluation and management of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone disorders. Our mission is to reduce the burden of fragility fractures, optimize skeletal health in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, and identify underlying causes of impaired bone metabolism. We provide evidence-based interventions, including pharmacological therapy, nutritional optimization, and targeted exercise recommendations, to promote bone strength and prevent falls, thereby advancing patient outcomes and establishing a standard of excellence in fracture prevention.

Understanding Osteoporosis

The term osteoporosis comes from Greek roots meaning “porous bone.” This condition is characterized by decreased bone mass, which increases the risk of fractures.

Primary osteoporosis results from age-related bone loss influenced by:

  • Age

  • Genetic factors

  • Sex (women are more susceptible)

  • Hormones

  • Nutrition

  • Physical activity or weight-bearing exercise

  • Lifestyle factors

Secondary osteoporosis occurs when an underlying medical condition or medication causes low bone mineral density (BMD) and increases the risk of fractures.

  • 54 million Americans have low bone density.

  • 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over age 50 sustain a fragility fracture.

  • A woman’s risk of breaking a hip equals her combined risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer.

  • More than 20% of patients die within one year after a hip fracture.

  • With proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, healthcare providers can slow or even reverse osteoporosis.

Our Approach

When you visit our providers, we will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your bone health that includes:

  • Reviewing your bone density scan – please bring any previous DXA scans on a CD if possible. If you have never had one, we will arrange for an imaging center near you to perform the scan.

  • Reviewing your lab results to evaluate metabolic, endocrine, or nutritional issues. If you have recent lab work from another provider, please bring it to your visit.

  • Recording your medical and surgical history

  • Documenting your fracture history

  • Assessing your current and past medications that could affect bone health

  • Conducting a fall risk assessment

Expert Leadership and Team

The Bone Health Clinic is overseen by Eric Klineberg, MD, with clinical care provided by Christina Yazdani, PA-C, Jessica Varghese, PA-C, and Maura K. Leo, PA-C. Together, they develop individualized care plans based on bone density testing, laboratory evaluations, and comprehensive risk assessments, delivering tailored treatment that meets each patient’s specific bone health needs.