Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones are more likely to break. It may be a familiar term, but there is a reason why osteoporosis is dubbed the “silent disease”. There are usually no noticeable warning signs. Osteoporosis can cause fractures from minor bumps and falls or from everyday movements such as bending, coughing or sneezing.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans, 68 percent of whom are women. One out of every two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. This represents more than 1.5 million broken bones annually.
Virtua provides inpatient and outpatient services for individuals looking to prevent and diagnose osteoporosis as well as relieve symptoms caused by osteoporotic related fractures. The services include:
- Medical evaluation for prevention, diagnosing and treatment of osteoporosis
- Surgical treatment of fractures including minimally invasive surgery
- Rehabilitation services including physical therapy to help strengthen bones and muscles
- Occupational therapy to help prevent falls
- Community education and exercise programs including Project Healthy Bones
- Lunar iDXA bone mineral density testing
- Geriatric Fracture Care Program
Virtua's rheumatologists (arthritis and osteoporosis doctors) rely on a team approach strategy to provide patients the best overall care. Virtua's rheumatologists have ongoing communications with:
- Primary care physicians
- Gastroenterologists
- Orthopedic physicians
- OB/Gynecolosists
- Endocrinologists