8212;- Think you might be at risk for osteoporosis Wonder if one of your patient's8217;s needs osteoporosis prevention information Whether you are a patient or physician 's8211; or even a member of the media
's8211; a new Web site from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is up and running to provide up-to-the-minute information about osteoporosis, a disease that causes more than 1.5
million fractures each year.
The Web site, www.aaos.org/osteoporosis, is a portal of information for physicians, patients and the media. Through the Orthopaedic
Knowledge Online site, physicians can access medical journal articles and up-to-date information about diagnosis, management and any osteoporosis surgical treatments. They can also
download community outreach information such as postcards, posters, public service announcements and download-able slideshows about understanding osteoporosis for educating patients and
community groups. A multi-media lecture series is also for physicians to share.
's8220;Osteoporosis affects 28 million Americans every year,'s8221; said William A. Grana, MD, MPH, and editor in chief of Orthopaedic Knowledge Online. 's8220;It's8217;s a problem too
big to be ignored, and this Web site helps physicians help their patients, helps patients get needed information and helps the media spread the word about osteoporosis prevention and treatment.'s8221;
Patients can access the Web site to learn definitions, signs, symptoms, tests and treatments for osteoporosis. Interactive resources, including quizzes developed by orthopaedic surgeons, for both adults and children teach osteoporosis prevention, warning signs and management. Press
resources include news releases and a selected gallery of eMotion Pictures on osteoporosis topics.
Statistics reveal that one in two women and one in five men over age 65 will sustain bone fractures from osteoporosis, including fractures of the hip, spine, wrist, arm and leg. Health
care expenses from hip fractures alone total more than $10 billion each year.
's8220;Health and well-being begins with knowledge,'s8221; said Dr. Grana. 's8220;This site provides that knowledge 's8211; the latest research for anyone seeking more information about
osteoporosis.'s8221;
An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician with extensive training in the diagnosis and non-surgical as well as
surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) is a publication of the 29,000-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (www.orthoinfo.org), the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for
orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality musculoskeletal health. Orthopaedic surgeons and the Academy are
the authoritative sources of information for patients and the general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments and related issues. An advocate for improved patient care, the
Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.usbjd.org) 's8211; the global initiative in the years 2002-2011 's8211; to raise awareness of
musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's8217;s quality of life.