Common orthopedic concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Osteoporosis
Weak, brittle bones that break more easily
Osteoporosis is a condition of weakened, brittle bones that fracture more easily, often silent until a fracture occurs, and treatable with medication, nutrition, and weight-bearing activity. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Osteoporosis is one of many orthopedic conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Treatment is medical: bone-strengthening medication, calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and fall prevention; surgery treats fractures, not osteoporosis.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition of weakened, brittle bones that fracture more easily, often silent until a fracture occurs, and treatable with medication, nutrition, and weight-bearing activity. Because there are usually no symptoms before a fracture, screening and early evaluation matter.
Osteoporosis itself is treated medically, not surgically: bone-strengthening medication such as bisphosphonates, calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing and resistance exercise, and an honest look at fall risk, with medication management coordinated through your primary care physician. Where our surgeons come in is the fractures osteoporosis causes (wrist, hip, and spine), including kyphoplasty for painful compression fractures and fixation or replacement for hip fractures, always paired with a bone-health plan to prevent the next break.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose osteoporosis, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Osteoporosis
As you get older, your bones may get weaker. This is called "osteoporosis." Weak bones are more likely to break. Osteoporosis can be a problem for anyone, but it is more common in women.
Inside the musculoskeletal system.
Most musculoskeletal pain comes down to one of four tissues: bone, cartilage, ligament/tendon, or muscle. The right care starts with the right diagnosis: figuring out which tissue is hurt, why, and how much. From there the plan is built around the specific condition, your goals, and what you actually do day to day.
Symptoms and causes of osteoporosis
Common symptoms
- Often asymptomatic until a fracture occurs
- Back pain from compression fractures
- Loss of height over time
- Stooped posture (kyphosis)
Common causes
- Postmenopausal estrogen decline
- Age-related bone loss
- Long-term steroid use
- Calcium, vitamin D, or protein deficiency
How we diagnose osteoporosis
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for osteoporosis typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the affected area: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- Bone-density testing (DEXA): the standard for diagnosing osteoporosis and tracking treatment, plus X-rays when a fracture is suspected
- A written plan covering medication, nutrition, exercise, and fall prevention, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat osteoporosis at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Treating the bone loss
The goal is fewer fractures: medication and lifestyle measures together cut fracture risk substantially.
- Bone-strengthening medication (bisphosphonates and newer agents), coordinated with your physician
- Calcium and vitamin D optimization
- Weight-bearing and resistance exercise programs
- Fall-prevention review: vision, balance, home hazards
- DEXA bone-density monitoring to track response
Surgical care
When neededTreating fractures when they happen
Osteoporosis itself is never operated on, but the fractures it causes sometimes are.
- Kyphoplasty for painful spinal compression fractures
- Fracture fixation for wrist, hip, and other fragility fractures
- Joint replacement when a hip fracture requires it
- A post-fracture bone-health plan to prevent the next break
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Orthopedic care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our orthopedic specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a orthopedic specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a orthopedic specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the affected area that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your orthopedic recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the affected area, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the affected area.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Treatment-specific considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our orthopedic doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our orthopedic specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your orthopedic specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
David Barba, MD
Hip & Knee Surgeon
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Wilshire
- East Los Angeles
Accepting new patients
Jose Antonio Acosta, MD
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Glendale
- Encino
- Valencia
- +1 more
Care for osteoporosis starts here
Don't let osteoporosis be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need a bone-health plan, fracture care, or both, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see an orthopedic specialist in Los Angeles.
Common osteoporosis questions
- Osteoporosis is diagnosed with a DEXA scan (a quick, painless bone-density test), often prompted by a fracture from a minor fall, height loss, or screening guidelines. Plain X-rays show fractures but cannot measure bone density reliably. We also review medications and risk factors that accelerate bone loss.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a orthopedic specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
Booking now
21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network