Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern for an estimated 44 million Americans. In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for Osteoporosis.

The Osteoporosis Facts *

• Each year, about one-third of individuals 65 years of age or older will fall, and some will be disabled by the broken bones that can follow.
• Eighty percent of those affected by Osteoporosis are women.
• One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an Osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
• Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually.
• Twenty percent of those affected by Osteoporosis are men.
• The estimated national direct expenditures (hospitals and nursing homes) for Osteoporotic and associated fractures was $17 billion in 2001 ($47 million each day)
• The rate of hip fractures is two to three times higher in women than men; however the one year mortality following a hip fracture is nearly twice as high for men as for women.
• A woman’s risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.
• At six months after a hip fracture, only 15% of hip fracture patients can walk across a room unaided.

* Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation

Although there is no cure for Osteoporosis, there are steps you can take to prevent, slow, or stop its progress.

Treatment Recommendations:

• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
• Weight-bearing exercise.
• A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake.
• Appropriate testing and prescription medication.

While your doctor plays a key role in diagnosis, bone density testing, and prescribing medications, a physical therapy program helps provide you with a complete treatment solution.

Physical Therapy is Important

With physical therapy you will experience the following:

• A personalized posture program, weight-bearing and resistance exercise program.
• Education regarding Osteoporosis, proper nutrition, and calcium and Vitamin D intake recommendations
• Risk factors and fall prevention information.

• Possible Treatments

  • Core Strengthening 
    
     Video
  • Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy 
    
     Video
  • Gait or Walking Training 
    
     Video
  • Posture Training 
    
     Video
  • Physical Agents
  • Stretching/Flexibility Exercise 
    
     Video

• Possible Treatment Goals

  • Improve Fitness
  • Improve Function
  • Optimize Joint Alignment
  • Improve Muscle Strength and Power
  • Improve Range of Motion
  • Improve Relaxation
  • Self-care of Symptoms
  • Improve Safety

• Additional Resources

  • National Osteoporosis Foundation
  • Osteoporosis Facts