What is Bone Health and Osteoporosis?
Bone health is a medical specialty that focuses on the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and other bone health injuries and conditions. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weaker and more likely to break. One in three women will be affected by osteoporosis in their lifetime, and those with osteoporosis are 5 times more likely to suffer a spine or hip fracture.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is caused by a lack of bone strength or bone density. As you age, your bones get thinner naturally. But some things can make you more likely to have the severe bone thinning of osteoporosis. These things are called risk factors. Some risk factors you can change. Others you can’t change.
What are the Treatment Options?
We tailor your osteoporosis treatment plan to meet your specific needs, based on the type and severity of the disease. The goal of osteoporosis treatment is to improve the overall quality of life with a focus on:
- Decreasing pain
- Minimizing further bone loss
- Osteoporosis rehabilitation plan
- Preventing fractures
Download the Healthy Bones for Life Patient Guide
Why Choose Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine?
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edward Westerheide, physician assistants Abigayle Barker and Julie Renner, and nurse practitioner Rachael Del Cecato have received additional certifications to ensure that patients suffering from osteoporosis-related fractures undergo a fracture risk assessment to prevent further fractures by treating osteoporosis and providing you with fall prevention strategies, delivering highly effective care while significantly reducing the costs associated with secondary fractures.
Our experts are certified clinical densitometrists (CCD®), which is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) through the International Society of Clinical Densitometrists and is a professional designation awarded to clinicians who meet specified knowledge requirements measured through a standardized testing process for the interpretation of bone densitometry. This certification serves to increase the knowledge and competence of clinicians regarding bone densitometry and osteoporosis diagnosis, clinical evaluation, treatment, and monitoring and to apply standard practices to assure quality performance and interpretation of bone densitometry studies.
Fractures should be treated as a sentinel event and prompt further investigation into a person’s bone health in order to help treat and possibly even prevent future fractures. Our bone health specialists also have the FLS Training and Certificate of Completion, started by the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, which explores the most important economic and health system challenges to the widespread implementation of the FLS model of care, covering topics such as the impact of healthcare reform, challenges and barriers in clinical care, and strategies for organizing, staffing, and structuring a successful FLS program.
To learn more about our Bone Health Clinic or to schedule an appointment, please call (740) 788-9220 or click on the Appointment Request button.