HOSPITAL ADDS NEW BONE DENSITOMETER TO ITS SERVICES

Mendota Community Hospital’s Radiology Department recently installed a new clinical bone densitometer, the Hologic Discovery, (known as the “gold standard” of bone assessment methods), to its diagnostic services. Its assessment of existing vertebral fractures is comparable in sensitivity and specificity to that of traditional lateral X-ray. The bone densitometer measures the bone mineral content and density of specific bone sites (mainly the hip and spine) that are most susceptible to fracture due to osteoporosis and other degenerative bone diseases.  The prevalence of these diseases, especially in post-menopausal women and men over the age of 65 years, makes bone densitometry a necessary part of a complete bone health program.

Osteoporosis, the most common human bone disease, occurs when bone resorption exceeds bone formation, resulting in reduced bone strength, poor bone quality, and an increased risk of bone fracture. As part of the natural aging process, bones begin to deteriorate faster than new bone can be formed, eventually progressing to a point where a fracture can easily occur causing pain, disability, and even death. The most common fractures are those of the proximal femur (hip), vertebrae (spine) and distal forearm (wrist). Osteoporosis poses a serious threat to 28 million Americans – 80% of whom are women. Half of all women past menopause are at risk of developing osteoporosis…one out of three will fracture. Two of the strongest risk factors for osteoporosis fractures are existing vertebral fractures and low bone density. MCH’s new Hologic X-Ray bone densitometer is being used to detect existing or new vertebral fractures and to measure bone density in an effort to help diagnose and treat osteoporosis. Bone density testing is fast and painless. It requires no injections or invasive procedures. During a test, the patient lies fully clothed on a padded treatment table while the machine scans one or more areas of bone. The entire test normally takes only minutes to complete. And even though the machine emits x-rays, the radiation dose during the test is less than the radiation exposure during a coast-to-coast airline flight.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recognizes that many women are developing osteoporosis without being diagnosed or treated. Only 29% of American Women with osteoporosis are properly diagnosed. Only 14% of women with osteoporosis receive treatment. Who should have a Bone Mineral Density Test? Women who are 65 and older, regardless of other risk factors; postmenopausal women with one or more risk factors; and all postmenopausal women who have a fracture. “All women over age 50 or past menopause should talk to their doctors about their risk of developing osteoporosis,” encourages Cindy Stielow, Radiology Manager. “It’s much higher than most women realize.”

Anyone interested in determining their risk for developing osteoporosis should contact their family physician who will set up an appointment in Radiology at Mendota Community Hospital for a bone density assessment. “It seems tragic, adds Ms. Stielow, “that a woman could lose her independent lifestyle because of a hip fracture that could have been prevented.”