Osteoporosis: "The Silent Thief"

The facts of osteoporosis are startling:

• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will have an osteoporosis-related fracture
• 24% of hip fracture patients over the age of 50 DIE IN THE FIRST YEAR after fracture
• 20% of hip fracture patients require long term care for the remainder of their lives
• Only 15% can walk across a room unaided six months after a hip fracture

Experts call osteoporosis "the silent thief" because it robs a person's bone with no outward signs. Commonly, the first symptom is a fracture sustained from little or no trauma. For this reason, screening is critical to detecting and treating osteoporosis before a fracture occurs.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends screening all women 65 and older, men 70 and older, or any adult over the age of 50 with a fracture. Screening includes a few blood tests and a bone density scan that typically takes 10-15 minutes. You can read more about the screening process by clicking this link: NOF-Diagnosing Osteoporosis.

New Year "Fitness Resolutions"

Happy new year everyone!

We know that it's that time of year when everyone makes that resolution to get fit, lose some weight and start running more. As part of your "fitness resolutions" for 2012, make sure that you include stretching properly before any physical activity. Spend enough time on your body and your body will respond better and with less injury.

Make sure you visit our website for some great injury prevention and stretching tips.