After age 50, fractured bones present a major health threat for approximately 50% of men and women (that’s right, men can be impacted as well). The culprit is a disease called osteoporosis and is characterized by poor bone quality.
People who lose too much bone over time are most at risk because this process results in weak bones that break easily from a fall or in more serious cases, from minor activities like sneezing or bending down to tie your shoes. Osteoporosis is referred to as the “Silent Epidemic” because the first symptom is often a fracture and prior to that initial injury, no symptoms are apparent. After one osteoporotic fracture, your mobility, independence, and life expectancy dramatically decline. In addition, the risk of future fracture increases 200 to 300%. Therefore, once a fracture occurs, it is very important to seek an evaluation with a specialist in order to identify and treat the cause of the fracture and prevent future broken bones.
Our providers assist fracture-prone patients in reducing risk for subsequent broken bones. If you are age 50 or older and have broken your wrist, pelvis, ankle, femur, radius, ulna, humerus, vertebrae, tibia or fibula you may qualify for care under the Bone Health Clinic, which is designed to identify patients at high risk for a second fracture, investigate the causes and initiate treatment. This is done under the leadership of a physician champion and an advanced practice provider, called a physician assistant, who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis and conditions leading to osteoporosis. Services such as ours have been shown to improve overall bone health as well as reduce the risk of subsequent life-threatening fractures.
Learn more information about the Bone Health Clinic or call 630−456−7631.
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