Orthopedic surgeons treat fractures all the time, but did you know that certain fractures can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem? If you are over the age of 50 and experience one of the following types of fractures, you should be screened for osteoporosis:

• Wrist (Distal Radius) Fracture
• Spine (Vertebral) Fracture
• Hip Fracture
• Shoulder (Proximal Humerus) Fracture

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone in which you lose too much bone as you age, making your bones more porous than they should be and weakening their underlying structure. The more porous your bones become, the more likely they are to break.

Osteoporosis can affect both men and women, but multiple factors can increase your risk for developing osteoporosis, including:

• Age – older people are at greater risk.
• Race – people of Asian or Caucasian descent are at greater risk.
• Gender – women are at greater risk than men.
• Hormone Levels – a reduction in testosterone or estrogen can increase your risk for osteoporosis.
• Eating Habits – a diet low in vitamin D and calcium can put you at greater risk.
• Eating Disorders – bulimia or anorexia can increase your risk.
• Lifestyle – people with a sedentary lifestyle are at greater risk.
• Family History – a family history of osteoporosis or hip fractures can increase your risk
• Smoking – recent studies have shown a relationship between smoking and reduced bone density.
• Frame Size – a smaller frame size can increase your risk.
• Medical Conditions – certain conditions (including Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease) can increase your risk for developing osteoporosis.

Unchecked, these individuals are at significantly increased risk for additional bone loss and future fractures. That’s why TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine created the Bone Health Program.

To refer a worker’s compensation patient to TSAOG Orthopaedics for consultation, treatment, or impairment rating, please print and complete our  WC REFERRAL FORM and fax it to us at 210-582-2697.  You can also refer a patient by phone by calling (210) 804-6815.

Ridgewood Orthopaedic Surgery Center Features:

• Outpatient surgical care
• Eight state-of-the-art operating rooms equipped with:
  • High Definition scopes and cameras providing surgeons with digitally enhanced images to better repair damaged structures
  • Streaming capabilities for distance learning among medical professionals
• MRI
• CT and X-Ray capabilities