Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics Bone Health Program
Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics Bone Health Program was founded by Thomas Bills, MD, PhD. With years of experience in the area of osteoporosis and as a consulting staff physician at the Metabolic Bone Disease Service and Osteoporosis Center in the Hospital for Special Surgery at Cornell Medical School in NYC, Dr. Bills decided to bring his expertise local to both Mercer and Bucks Counties. He created the bone health program for patients to obtain a personalized comprehensive orthopaedic assessment designed to diagnose and treat patients with osteoporosis through the combined use of bone imaging tests, lab studies and medical evaluation. He provides risk assessments, treatment options, preventative recommendations and education. The goal of MBO’s Bone Health Program is to identify high risk patients, to treat them quickly and to reduce the risk of future fractures.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bone causing it to become brittle and break easily. These breaks are called fragility fractures and most commonly happen in the hip, spine and wrist.
What Are The Signs Of Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is called the “silent disease” because there are no signs or symptoms until a bone breaks.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
- Gender: Females are more likely to have osteoporosis than men.
- Age: The older you are, the higher your risk of osteoporosis (over the age of 50).
- Body Size: Low body weight individuals are at a greater risk of osteoporosis.
- Family History: If there is a family history of osteoporosis, you are at higher risk.
- Other risk factors: Low sex hormone levels or menopause, anorexia nervosa, low calcium and vitamin D intake, some medication use, low activity level, smoking and alcohol use.
Statistics Regarding Osteoporosis:
- 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and 34 million more are at risk. (National Osteoporosis Foundation)
- Two million bones per year break due to osteoporosis.
- 50% of women and 25% of men will have an osteoporosis-related fracture.
- 80% of patients who have had a bone fracture are not identified or treated.
- You are twice as likely to have a second fragility fracture if you have already had one.
How Can I Prevent Osteoporosis?
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are steps you can take to slow its’ progression.
- Take Calcium and Vitamin D supplements.
- Exercise regularly.
- Limit caffeine intake.
- Do not smoke.
- If you are in a high risk category, consult with a physician in MBO’s Bone Health Program.