The Center Offers Fracture Prevention Program to Osteoporosis Patients

(Newswire.net — January 29, 2018) Bend, OR — Nearly 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that approximately one in two women and one in four men age 50 or older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. The Center Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Care & Research is pleased to offer a Fracture Prevention Program to provide patients with comprehensive post-fracture bone health care, including diagnosis, treatment and education. The goal of the program is to help diagnose and treat patients with osteoporosis, who otherwise may not be aware they were affected by the condition.

“This program demonstrates that we are not just here to fix broken bones,” says Timothy Curtis, PA-C, who heads the Fracture Prevention Program at The Center. “Our goal is to help patients with osteoporosis reduce their risk of future fractures and prevent re-fractures.”

When a patient undergoes surgery for a broken bone, The Center’s orthopedic surgeons perform a bone health assessment to look for fractures caused by fragility. Signs of a fragility fracture include any fall from a standing height or less resulting in a fracture, or poor bone quality intraoperatively. If a patient has endured a fragility fracture, they will be identified and offered enrollment into the Fracture Prevention Program at their post-operative appointment.

The first step of the program involves thorough laboratory testing including a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to measure bone density. If the patient has no history of bone disease, bone cancer or prior radiation, they are placed on a 2-year regimen using FORTEO, the only FDA-approved osteoporosis medicine that helps build new bone. FORTEO is an injectable medication that patients will administer themselves daily once a medical provider has taught them the process.

“FORTEO helps reinforce bone by replacing bone lost due to osteoporosis, and adding new bone to the surrounding areas,” says Curtis. “The side effects are extremely minimal and include hypotension, which is generally easy to treat, or injection site reaction.”

Patients will have check-in appointments with their orthopedic surgeon at the 4-week, 3-month, and 6-month marks in the program. If patients successfully complete 2 years of FORTEO, it is recommended they follow up treatment with Prolia, an injection administered once every six months to continue strengthening bones.

About The Center

The Center is a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions, with ten locations throughout Central Oregon. Founded in 1954 as Bend Orthopedic and Fracture, the practice continues to be driven by leading best practice and innovation. With a staff of 20 physicians and 19 mid-level providers, our expertly trained specialists in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, sports medicine, and occupational medicine, The Center is here to keep our community healthy, active, and strong. To learn more visit www.thecenteroregon.com.