Though half the fracture-prevention battle is getting people diagnosed with low bone density, nearly 80% of older Americans who suffer bone breaks are not tested or treated for osteoporosis.
After recovering from a fracture, elderly people are strongly advised to make lifestyle changes to boost bone health and reduce risk of further fractures, said Willy M. Valencia, MD, a geriatrician-endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Apart from active daily living, he recommends several types of formal exercise to promote bone formation; increase muscle mass, strength, and flexibility; and improve endurance, balance, and gait.
Even before it's possible to exercise at the healing fracture site, added Dr. Rianon, its advisable to work other areas of the body."Overall mobility is important, and exercising other parts of the body can stimulate strength and help prevent falling.", as well as supplementation with these vital nutrients, is essential to lower the risk of falling.
Fall prevention is paramount, said Dr. Valencia. While exercise can improve, gait, balance, and endurance, logistical measures may also be necessary. Seniors may have to move to a one-floor domicile with no stairs to negotiate. At the very least, they need to fall-proof their daily lives by upgrading their eyeglasses and home lighting, eliminating obstacles and loose carpets, fixing bannisters, and installing bathroom handrails.
At the end of the day, the role of the primary physician in screening for bone problems before fracture and postsurgical care is key."Risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture risk must be added to the patient's chart," said Dr. Rianon. Added Dr. Moseley."No matter how busy they are, my hope is that primary care physicians will not put patients' bone health at the bottom of the clinical agenda.
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