Overview

PROGRAM PURPOSE: 

Fundamentals of Osteoporosis is intended to provide the participant with a basic understanding of osteoporosis, the effects of osteoporosis and current physical therapy methods used to treat osteoporosis.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: 

This course is intended for beginning to intermediate level physical therapists and physical therapy assistants who seek to increase their knowledge of osteoporosis and methods available for treatment of osteoporosis.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

Following completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  1. Define osteoporosis. 
  2. Identify the most common clinical manifestations of osteoporosis. 
  3. Identify the risk factors associated with osteoporosis. 
  4. Discuss the use of Bone Mineral Density Testing in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. 
  5. Differentiate the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy and Calcium Supplementation in the treatment of osteoporosis. 
  6. Develop an effective physical therapy exercise program for patients diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Introduction

Osteoporosis has been identified as a major public health issue due to its physical and socioeconomic effects in the United States and other countries. Due to decreasing resources for healthcare, guidelines for disease management are being developed to increase the efficacy and reduce the variability in approaches to disease management. Clinical guidelines have been developed for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis that address elements of care that have proven efficacy and attempt to reduce the variability in approaches to the management of the disease. Although most research on osteoporosis has focused on women, recent studies indicate that osteoporosis in men is likely to become a prominent public health issue also. Though clinical guidelines have been developed for women, no such guidelines have been developed for men at this time. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and The American College of Endocrinology published the AACE Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in 1996. In December, 1999, Women's Health Clinical Management published updated recommendations in Menopause Management for the Millennium.