Own the Bone Osteoporosis Programs Prove Successful in Reducing Osteoporosis Caused Fractures

Osteoporosis is a bone disease caused by a lack of calcium and vitamin D.  To maintain proper cellular functions we need a certain amount of calcium in our bloodstream.  When the blood lacks this calcium our body draws from calcium stored in our bones to make up the difference.  Over time, this continual removal of calcium from bone results in bone brittleness, which then can result in bone fractures, called fragility fractures. In advanced osteoporosis these fragility fractures can occur with something as little as a sneeze.

Osteoporosis is a growing issue in the United States.  Over 54 million adults are estimated to have some form of osteoporosis and it is projected that this number will grow to more than 70 million by 2030. Annual fragility fracture rates are close to 2 million and projected to increase to 3 million by 2025. A recent editorial in a prominent orthopedic journal calls for more fragility fracture prevention measures to be addressed by doctors.  They recommend physician’s  involvement in and encouragement of patient participation in a multidisciplinary program called Own The Bone.  This program incorporates patient education regarding nutrition, exercise, lifestyle modifications and fall prevention as well as medical management and frequent osteoporosis screens. There are currently 170 Own the Bone medical centers in the U.S. and they are proving successful at reducing secondary fragility fractures.  The editors hope that with continued support and involvement of orthopedic surgeons and general practitioners Own The Bone will reduce the projected number of fragility fractures and improve overall patient care and health.

References: Jeray, K. M.D. and Swiontkowski, M., M.D. Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures: What Progress Have We Made? Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery . October, 2015. Vol 97-A, No. 19. Pp. 1553-1554.

Back

All content provided by eOrthopod® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission. Alteration of these documents in any way is a violation of the copyright.