Metabolic Bone Disease

This clinic treats patients who have metabolic bone diseases - thin bones, thick bones, soft bones, brittle bones and irregular bones. These diseases are caused by problems with mineral metabolism, nutrition, and some genetic diseases.  In addition to the above list, we see patients with many kinds of diseases, including: 

  • Hyperparathryoidism
  • Hypercalcemia
  • Hypophosphatemia
  • Hypophosphatasia
  • Fibrous Dysplasia
  • Low Bone Density

We can measure the bone density, and also evaluate bones with other kinds of radiology, blood tests and urine tests. In unusual cases we may examine biopsies of the bone.  We treat patients with nutritional advice, medications, physical therapy and methods to prevent falls and fractures.  Sometimes we recommend surgical therapy.  In some cases we work with our orthoapedic surgical colleagues to  make the bone stronger so that surgery will be more successful.

Our Goals

Many of these diseases lead to fractures of the bones, and our goal is to prevent the fractures and to reduce pain in the bones.

Location

The Metabolic Bone Clinic is located in the UWMC-Roosevelt, an outpatient facility at 4245 Roosevelt Way N.E. in Seattle's University District.

Making an appointment

We receive many requests for appointments, and therefore at the current time our clinic is limited to patients who have been referred for a consult by their primary physician.  Physicians or nurse practioners can send a consult to the clinic, stating the reason for the consult.  Our physicians will work with the primary physicians in evaluating and treating the patients.  Please call the Metabolic Bone Clinic at 206-598-BONE (2663) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays).