The primary purpose of the Bone Health SIG is to:
We have all endured a difficult year through the COVID-19 pandemic with all of the collateral effects on our lives personally and professionally. Thank you for your perseverance as health care professionals and continued work to provide optimal care to older adults. I am proud of my profession and what we stand for in advocacy and value focused services to our patients.
Looking forward to 2021 with vaccines available, lessons learned, and so many lifestyle adjustments – we are all hoping for a move to some normalcy, however it may be re-defined. CSM 2021 is an example of how technology, creativity and dedication can create amazing opportunities for the celebration of our 100 years as APTA, high quality education programming and different ways to network with each other. I hope you will take advantage of the registration pricing and the extensive calendar of sessions over the entire month of February to attend more than you could ever fit into a week.
Our Bone Health Special Interest Group WILL have our "annual CSM" member meeting with 2 BIG advantages:
This should facilitate a great turnout!
So SAVE THE DATE...Tuesday March 2 at 8 pm EST. Scroll down this page to register.
In the meantime, here are some new or refreshed areas to review on the webpage:
If you have questions, ideas or other contributions – please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for all you do for your patients, your students and our profession!
Kathy Brewer PT, DPT, MEd, GCS, CEEAA
Chair, AGPT Bone Health Special Interest Group
Ptkkb55@gmail.com
Monday, March 2, 2021
The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) assembled a multi-stakeholder coalition including representation from the American Physical Therapy Association to develop clinical recommendations for the optimal prevention of secondary fracture among people aged 65 years and older with a hip or vertebral fracture. Review of this document describes essential strategies requiring collaboration within care management teams addressing education, communication and interventions. "Emphasizing the connection between fracture and osteoporosis elevates the fracture from an unfortunate accident to a sentinel event indicative of an important underlying chronic disorder." There is frequent failure to investigate the diagnosis of osteoporosis and provide the long-term integrated care that this chronic condition requires. Following the first fracture it is imperative to initiate immediate interventions to increase the number of patients receiving appropriate osteoporosis treatment. Physical therapists have a long history of successful intervention for acute osteoporotic fractures, but often do not continue care for lifelong management of these patients. Additionally, the medical management across specialties is frequently inconsistent. Given the treatment gap for comprehensive management of this condition, there are predictable complications which will have lifelong impact on function and quality of life. Therefore, physical therapists must actively embrace this call to action. We are vital members of the multidisciplinary team, and with aggressive evidence based approach to encompass the full scope of therapy interventions throughout the lives of these patients, we can fully support the overall strategies presented by the coalition.
Review the full article: Conley RB, Adib G, et al. (2020). "Secondary Fracture Prevention: Consensus Clinical Recommendations from a Multistakeholder Coalition." J Bone Miner Res 35(1): 36-52. PMID: 31538675 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3877
Please watch Sherri Betz, PT DPT, former chair of the BGSIG in this featured podcast.
A new Stand TallTM DVD by Wendy Katzman, DSc, PT, OCS has been produced the UCSF Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. To order the video, contact Anthony.Casino@ucsf.edu
What Are Evidence-Based Exercise Programs and Why Are They Important?
Do It RIGHT! and Prevent Fractures!
The Bone-Healthy Way of Life and Exercise
American Bone Health would like to acknowledge the hard work and determination of the author Sherri Betz, PT, GCS, in bringing this important information to the public. We thank the models Jan and Lee Prawitz, Sue Walters and Joan White, who donated their time to show others how to keep their bones fracture free. We recognize and thank Nancy Abodeely, PT, OCS, for reviewing the final content to ensure we communicated safe and effective activities and exercises. American Bone Health is proud to have the endorsement of the Bone Health Special Interest Group of the APTA Geriatrics, American Physical Therapy Association, for this work.
Sherri Betz presentation of the National Osteoporosis Foundation Webinar: Safe Pilates and Yoga for Bone Health now available.
Contact us with contributions to this site as we build resource material and references on Bone Health and Osteoporosis. References will become part of a Resource Guide on Osteoporosis
Bone Health and Fracture Prevention for Older Adults
Adults who are physically active and do regular exercise have less likelihood of experiencing a fracture. The right exercises and good habits can maximize peak bone mass achieved in youth, maintain bone in adult hood, and reduce bone loss related to aging. Both muscle strengthening and weight-bearing exercise can build and maintain a healthy skeleton. Exercise can also preserve strength and stability to reduce falls and spinal stress that result in fractures. Exercise with hand or cuff weights, gym equipment, or elastic tubing stimulates bone and improves muscle strength. The effect on bone is local or specific to the site of the muscles doing the work. Weight bearing exercise is another way to improve bone density and stay fit. Brisk walking, step aerobics, stair climbing, and jumping are examples. Resistance exercise and weight bearing should be done regularly to provide lasting benefits. Exercises that improve muscle strength, core stability, balance and coordination will help prevent falls. Exercises to improve posture or strengthen the "core" protect against spine fractures resulting from stress on weakened bone. Proper posture and safe body mechanics during all activites will protect the spine against the compressive effects of bending and kyphosis, a rounded spine. Kyphosis is associated with a stooped appearance and loss of height. Fractures of the spine are greater in those with kyphosis regardless of whether there is a history of osteoporosis or fracture. The kyphosis can be reduced with exercises that strengthen and lengthen the spine. Postural supports and bracing are helpful for some individuals. If you have osteoporosis, are at high risk for a fall or fracture, or have a medical condition affecting your ability to exercise, do not start an exercise program without first consulting your physician and a physical therapist.
This resource was created by APTA Geriatrics (www.geriatricspt.org) for public education purposes. We encourage distribution and no permissions are necessary.