According to Osteoporosis Canada, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience an osteoporotic related fracture during their lifetime. This is a troubling statistic, but the fact of the matter is that osteoporotic fractures are more common than incidences of heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer combined. A high incidence rate such as this places a substantial burden on Canada’s national health care budget; in 2010 alone, $2.3 billion was spent in order to provide treatment and care for those who suffered an osteoporosis related fragility fracture. This large expenditure is an unfortunate symptom of a treatable disease.

Fragility fractures are often the consequence of osteoporosis; these fractures are classified as such when they are a result of a fall from standing height or less. A healthy skeletal system should be able to sustain such a fall without damage, but often, due to a deterioration of bone mass and tissue, those who suffer from osteoporosis face broken bones.

Often, fragility fractures result in vertebral or hip fractures. These particular types of fractures are associated with high rates of mortality; 25% of those who experience a hip fracture die within 5 years, and the story is, unfortunately, the same for approximately 17% of those who experience a vertebral fracture.

Despite these grim statistics, there is a lot that can be done to help prevent the negative outcomes of osteoporosis. By understanding how evidence-based assessment techniques can provide a solution to the burden of osteoporosis, Canadian health care professionals improve the playing field for those who suffer from or are at risk of the disease.

Proper diagnosis and recognition of osteoporosis is the key. Our free and certified online program on osteoporosis helps health care professionals understand the three secrets to the treatment, screening, and management techniques that will make a difference in the lives of those affected by osteoporosis.

References:

1. Osteoporosis - Facts and Statistics. Osteoporosis Canada website. http://www.osteoporosis.ca/osteoporosis-and-you/osteoporosis-facts-and-statistics/. Accessed August 4, 2017.