Structural abnormalities start early, researchers report. A new scanning technology has detected previously unnoticed bone abnormalities in adolescent girls afflicted with the eating disorder anorexia.

The new procedure is an alternative to hip replacement, but complications occur, experts say. Age and gender are important to the success of hip resurfacing, say U.S. researchers who reviewed more than 500 surgeries and found the majority of serious complications occurred in women of all ages and men over age 55.

But findings apply to postmenopausal women only, counters editorial Although calcium and vitamin D may keep your bones strong, these vital nutrients don't appear to help postmenopausal women lower their risk of breast cancer.

The supplements can help prevent stress fractures, experts say. Calcium and vitamin D supplements may do more than strengthen bones in older women. These vital nutrients may also help younger, active women reduce their risk of stress fractures.

It interferes with bone metabolism and bone mass maintenance, study finds. Alcohol disrupts genes needed to maintain healthy bones, which can lead to a decrease in bone mass and bone strength, a new study says.

But orthopedists say a home safety review could cut odds of fractures in those over 65. Former first lady Nancy Reagan and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's grandmother have suffered recent pelvic and hip injuries. And on Friday, author Studs Terkel died, following reports that a fall two weeks ago had hastened his decline.

Public Citizen cites liver failure deaths, other risks of adverse events for diabetes drug. The diabetes drug Avandia should be banned in the United States because it can cause death from liver failure and poses many other life-threatening risks that greatly outweigh its benefits, the advocacy group Public Citizen said Thursday.

Early puberty also a factor in increased chance of knee, hip surgeries, study finds. Early puberty, having lots of children, and hormone replacement therapy all increase a woman's likelihood of having knee or hip replacement surgery, according to a study that looked at 1.3 million British women whose health was tracked for an average of six years after they turned 50.

Bisphosphonates may up rate of serious atrial fibrillation, review finds. The popular bone-building medications known as bisphosphonates may have a rare, but serious, cardiac side effect.

Researchers say finding calls for better osteoporosis screening, treatment in these patients. People with heart failure face a higher risk of fractures, particularly of potentially crippling breaks in the hip bones, new Canadian research finds.

But high doses may protect against fractures, cancer, study suggests.  High doses of vitamin K1 may not prevent a decline in age-related bone mineral density, but it may protect against fracture and cancer in postmenopausal women with osteopenia, a new report shows.

How to help your recovery  Having a hip replaced involves major surgery, and you should lighten your activity load for as long as your doctor recommends.

But the benefit disappears when breast cancer drug is stopped. Tamoxifen, the drug used for more than 30 years to treat breast cancer, reduces the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, a new study shows.

But long-term effects of hormone-blocking drugs still need review, study finds. A new study found no link between the use of a drug to treat an enlarged prostate and an increase in hip fractures in men.

Trying to get back in the game too soon can undo benefits of surgery, study says.  Despite the desire to return to athletic activity after hip or knee replacement, patients tend to reduce their activity following their surgery, researchers say.

But lead researcher says it's too soon to give up on glucosamine. The popular supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are no better than a placebo at preventing cartilage loss in knees of people with the form of arthritis caused by wear and tear, a new study found.

New study doesn't show same result for women, however Eating fruits and vegetables can help elderly men guard against the bone loss that can lead to hip fractures, Tufts University researchers report.

Finding just latest in list of potential adverse events for bone-saving medications. Doctors can now add inflammatory eye disease to the list of potential side effects from the bone medications known as bisphosphonates.

Gradual weight loss over 6 months showed no apparent harm, study finds. Overweight adults who eat a low-calorie diet that includes proper nutrition can lose weight and fat without experiencing significant bone loss, a new study says.

Hormone-deprivation Rx erodes bone, but meds like Fosamax can help, study shows.  Men receiving hormone-deprivation therapy for advanced but localized prostate cancer can develop bone loss as a side effect of the treatment.

Low-cost therapy reduces threat of transfer from mother's bones to fetus or nursing infant. High daily doses of calcium supplements may reduce lead levels in the blood of pregnant women and cut down on fetal and infant exposure, a new report suggests.

Bisphosphonates can be first-line therapy, particularly for those with hip fracture risk, physicians' group says in new guidelines. Physicians should offer drug treatment to women and men who've been diagnosed with osteoporosis or low bone density, says a recently issued clinical practice guideline by the American College of Physicians (ACP).

But lifestyle changes can lower risk, researchers note. A new large global survey reveals that more than half of women who suffer from osteoporosis do not perceive themselves to be at a higher risk for experiencing a fracture.

Study found results for both were same 2 years later. Arthroscopic surgery to relieve osteoarthritis of the knee, a widely practiced procedure, proves no better than medicine and physical therapy alone, new research shows.

For sufferers of joint disease, finding could lead to preventive treatments, study says. The first direct proof of how osteoarthritis destroys cartilage has been discovered by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers.

Protect your injury and stay comfortable When a splint or cast is applied to help a broken bone heal, the cast itself requires some care. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions

Enzyme called Smurf1 acts as signaling partner that turns off building-block proteins. New details about how rheumatoid arthritis destroys bone have been uncovered by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers, who said their findings are already helping efforts to create new drugs to reverse the process.

Zoledronic acid stabilized mineral density in premenopausal women, study finds. Zometa (zoledronic acid) prevented bone loss at 12 months in premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy after they had surgery for early stage breast cancer, a new study found.

Drug countered effect of endocrine therapy in premenopausal patients, study finds. Zoledronic acid prevents bone loss in breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy and improves bone mineral density after treatment, according to an Austrian study.

Too many Americans aren't getting enough of the sun-sourced nutrient, researchers say. Low levels of vitamin D can boost older women's risk for hip fracture by more than 70 percent, University of Pittsburgh researchers report.

Obesity, previous HRT, chemo also raised chances for those on endocrine treatment, study says. Postmenopausal women with breast cancer who are receiving endocrine treatment may be at increased risk of joint issues, including arthritis, a new study finds.

Proton pump inhibitors taken for more than 7 years quadrupled chance of hip breaks, study finds. New Canadian research shows that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux, peptic ulcers and related disorders elevates the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.

As America grows older, that's an average of 4 a year per person, CDC report says. Americans made about 1.1 billion visits to physician offices and hospital outpatient and emergency departments in 2006, which works out to an average of four visits per person per year, according to statistics released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Study finds patients twice as likely to care for themselves, saves money in long run. Total hip replacements are beneficial and economical for seniors with osteoarthritis, regardless of their age, say researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

Bone-strengthening therapies could prevent these accident-linked injuries, research shows, High-trauma fractures, such as those caused by vehicle crashes or from steep falls, are associated with weak bones, researchers report.

High levels of alkaline phosphatase -- a routinely measured marker of bone disease -- may signal an increased risk of death among patients receiving dialysis for chronic kidney disease, say U.S. researchers.

Calculating a woman's bone mineral density appears to shed light on her risk for breast cancer. A new study has found that high bone mineral density (BMD) predicts a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer, independent of how high her risk is on the often-used Gail model.

It may seem just cosmetic, but condition can lead to more serious problems, doctor warns. Spider and varicose veins in women can be caused by a number of factors, including hormone fluctuations, wearing high-heeled shoes, age, heat, obesity and type of occupation, says the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says. Falls are a leading cause of serious injury and death among elderly people in the United States, and most of those falls occur in the home, says the American Geriatric Society (AGS).

More than 1.5 million Americans each year sustain a bone fracture related to osteoporosis. Here are common risk factors for osteoporosis, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

People who undergo the surgery are usually happy they did, study finds. Undergoing hip or joint replacement surgery may well be worth the trouble for older adults with severe osteoarthritis, researchers say.

Studies suggest an increased fracture risk in people who take the medications. Older adults may get a needed mood boost from a prescribed antidepressant, but they're also at increased risk for bone fractures, a growing number of studies suggest.

Fluoroquinolones, which include Cipro, can cause tendinitis and tendon rupture, agency says. Antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones will need to carry a black box warning alerting physicians to the increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture associated with their use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

Smoking can affect many parts of your body, even your bones and joints. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists these musculoskeletal problems that can be triggered by smoking