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 Although preventable and treatable, Osteoporosis is a potentially painful and crippling disease.
Half of all women past menopause, including 23 million American women, have or are at high risk of developing osteoporosis. A certain degree of bone loss can be expected as part of the normal aging process. Osteoporosis occurs when bone loss is so severe that bones become porous, brittle and are likely to break.
Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because 75% of those affected don't even know that they have it, sometimes until a fracture occurs. One in three postmenopausal women will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture.
- Bones most likely to break are the hip, spine, and forearm.
- Risk of hip fracture is equivalent to combined risk of developing breast, uterine or ovarian cancer in women.
- Fifty percent of hip fracture survivors require assisted living.
- 20% of hip fracture survivors die within one year after the fracture.
- Consequences of untreated osteoporosis may be loss of independence, pain, deformity, disability-even death.
GOOD NEWS ABOUT TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
Many preventative measures and treatments are available to reduce bone loss in its earliest stages, helping to prevent Osteoporosis or lessening its impact. Several drug therapies on the market have also been shown to be effective in slowing down or reversing the bone-loss process.
Physicians need to begin the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis with a measurement of your current bone status.
Testing bones with ultrasound... a safe, reliable and convenient process available from your physician.
Orthopedic Consultants utilizes the Sahara Ultrasound Bone Densitometer to measure bone density. The test is performed in a seated position with your bare foot placed and comfortably secured in the ultrasound unit. For the sake of accuracy, you will be asked to remove socks or stockings from the foot being tested. The entire procedure takes about one minute. It involves no injections or invasive procedures. After placing your heel in the unit, two soft pads come into contact with your heel. High frequency sound waves are passed through your heel, and the bone density is estimated from the characteristics of the transmitted sound waves. The ultrasound unit immediately processes your test results.
For further information about osteoporosis, treatment and prevention, contact your physician or the National Osteoporosis Foundation at (202)223-2226. |
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