Doctors now prescribe hormones for osteoporosis only in extreme cases. Instead, they've turned to medications like Fosomax and Actonol, which belong to a class of drug called bisphosphonates. "They're the only medications that actually raise bone mass," says Herman, who's seen a significant reduction in the bone fractures of his patients who use the two drugs.

Patients with osteoporosis who are suffering severe menopausal symptoms can also try Evista, one of a new group of drugs called estrogen receptor modulators. These drugs mimic the effects of estrogen on bones without damaging breast tissue or raising the risk for uterine or ovarian cancers.

Khoury believes the most effective method for deterring osteoporosis is prevention, but few doctors devote much of their practice to treating the condition because it is not financially feasible. Most osteoporosis patients are on Medicaid or Medicare, which have steadily decreased physician reimbursement.

Unfortunately, HHS predicts that if nothing is done soon to address the problem, within 15 years, weak bones and low bone mass will afflict half of all Americans over 50. This could cause the number of hip fractures in the United States possibly to triple by 2040. And because a fracture is the first sign someone is at risk, up to four times as many men and nearly three times as many women may have osteoporosis without even knowing it.

"It's a shame we can't prevent this 100 percent," says Khoury. "We have the knowledge and the ways to diagnose it and the medications to treat it." He insists, "Osteoporosis should not exist as a social problem. It should not be a punishment for getting old."

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PREVENTION MEASURES

The National Institutes of Health says that because the average woman acquires 98 percent of her bone mass by the age of 20, building strong bones in childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis late in life. Here are five other ways to protect yourself.

• Exercise. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) maintains that half of all Americans don't exercise enough to strengthen their bones. Children and teens should get at least an hour of physical activity every day. Adults should get at least 30 minutes a day. "I can never emphasize enough to my patients to stay physically active," says Dr. Erik Herman of Kennedy White Orthopedics in Sarasota. "The older you are, the more immobility is going to cause you problems."

• Diet. Try to consume 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day of calcium, and 400 to 800 units of Vitamin D. Milk, leafy green vegetables, soybeans, yogurt, cheese and fortified orange juice are all good sources of calcium. Be aware that not all calcium supplements are the same. Calcium phosphate has the highest available absorption rate, 40 percent. A good over-the-counter product is Posture D, which also contains magnesium.

• Testing. HHS recommends that every woman over the age of 65 and anyone who has had a bone fracture over the age of 50 get a bone density test. This simple test is painless and takes less than 10 minutes.

• Balancing acts. Supplement aerobic exercise and strength training with balance activities like tai chi. (The American Academy of Orthpaedic Surgeons claims tai chi decreases falls among seniors by 47 percent.) Remove small rugs that can be tripping hazards. Install grab bars around tubs and showers and non-slip mats inside them. Avoid medications that could cause drowsiness and lead to falls.

• Moderate your vices. Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol use. Both habits leech valuable bone mass from your body.

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TEST CASE

Testing for osteoporosis is a simple, painless procedure, thanks to DEXA scans that produce the same amount of radiation as 10 minutes in the sun. Getting them read correctly is another matter. Never allow a scan of just your ankle or wrist to determine if you have osteoporosis. The condition usually manifests itself first in the hip and spine, so insist on a full body scan. Make sure your scans are read by a qualified doctor in a certified facility that tests its machinery for accuracy. Then make sure your doctor compares the scan's score to the actual X-ray image. Conditions like osteoarthritis leave calcium deposits that a DEXA scan will read as healthy bone. If your doctor relies solely on the computer score, you could be sent home with a "normal" reading, when in fact you're a walking fracture waiting to happen.