Rheumatology in Lagos
Osteoporosis
The signs, what causes it, and treatment in Lagos from ₦66,000, with the full price shown before you book or pay.
Signs to look for
Osteoporosis
- No symptoms at all until a bone breaks
- A broken wrist, hip or spine bone after a minor fall
- Sudden back pain from a collapsed spine bone
- Losing height, or a stoop developing in the upper back
- Risk factors: an early menopause, steroid tablets for more than three months, rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight, or a parent who broke a hip
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Osteoporosis makes bones thin and fragile, so they break after a fall from standing height or less. It develops slowly and causes no pain, so it is usually found only when a wrist, hip or spine bone breaks. Bone is lost faster after the menopause, especially an early one, and with long courses of steroid tablets, rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight, heavy drinking and smoking. Men, younger women and children can be affected too. It is diagnosed with a bone density (DEXA) scan, a painless scan that gives a T score. Mezo does not yet offer a DEXA scan: the rheumatologist tells you where to have one and reads the result with you. Medicines that strengthen bone, with calcium, vitamin D and exercise, reduce the chance of a fracture.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- No symptoms at all until a bone breaks
- A broken wrist, hip or spine bone after a minor fall
- Sudden back pain from a collapsed spine bone
- Losing height, or a stoop developing in the upper back
- Risk factors: an early menopause, steroid tablets for more than three months, rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight, or a parent who broke a hip
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now for a suspected broken bone after a fall, especially a hip, or for sudden severe back pain with weakness or numbness in the legs. Ask a doctor about bone health if you broke a bone in a minor fall after 50, had an early menopause, have taken steroid tablets for more than three months, have rheumatoid arthritis, or a parent broke a hip. A rheumatologist can assess your fracture risk, arrange a DEXA scan and start treatment.
Treatment options
- Medicines that slow bone loss or build bone, as tablets or injections
- Enough calcium in food, and vitamin D from sunlight, food or a supplement
- Regular weight-bearing and strengthening exercise
- Preventing falls: good lighting, clear floors, checked eyesight and reviewed medicines
- Stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol
- A repeat bone density scan when the specialist advises
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Is osteoporosis only a problem for older women?
No. It is most common in women after the menopause, but men, younger women and children can have it, especially with long steroid treatment, rheumatoid arthritis or low body weight.
What does my T score mean?
It compares your bone density with a healthy young adult. Above -1 is normal, between -1 and -2.5 is early bone loss (osteopenia), and below -2.5 is osteoporosis. The doctor reads it alongside your age and other risks.
Is a DEXA scan painful?
No. You lie still on a table while a scanner arm passes over you. It usually takes ten to twenty minutes.
Need Help?
Find a verified rheumatology specialist near you.
Rheumatology in Lagos →Rheumatology in Abuja →Rheumatology in Port Harcourt →Rheumatology in Jos →Rheumatology in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Osteoporosis. NHS. Patient information.
- Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture (CG146). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 30 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.