Health Diaries > Health News > Orthopedic News > February 2006

February 24, 2006

New Osteoporosis Drug Shows Promise

A new drug for osteoporosis increases bone mineral density and decreases the rate of bone destruction in postmenopausal women.

The study centered on injections of denosumab, which made its administering different from almost every other treatment for osteoporosis. "They show that the drug is very potent," said Dr. Michael Whyte, author of an accompanying editorial and a professor of medicine, pediatrics and genetics at Washington University in St. Louis. "When they administer the denosumab subcutaneously, the bone breakdown parameters plummet very rapidly." (excite.com)

Posted by news editor at 11:41 AM

February 16, 2006

Limited Benefits From Calcium

The latest news about calcium and vitamin D may not look so encouraging, but most experts say the take-home message is the same: Keep taking your pills.

The biggest study ever to examine the value of the supplements suggests they convey only limited protection against broken bones. They failed to protect against most fractures in the mostly low-risk women, but seemed to offer some benefit against hip breaks among women over 60 and those who took the pills most faithfully. (excite.com)

Posted by news editor at 11:58 AM