Osteoporosis Causes a Spine Fracture Every 45 Seconds; Orthopaedic Hospital Offers Fast and Painless DEXA Tests to Aid in Prevention.

News Editors/Health/Medical Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2003

While sneaking up on 44 million Americans annually, osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures a year. The 'silent disease' progresses in thousands of adults without symptoms, and many are diagnosed with osteoporosis before understanding the simple, basic means of prevention. This year, Golden Globe Award-winning actress Tippi Hedren teams up again with Orthopaedic Hospital to promote the truth about osteoporosis awareness and prevention for adults throughout Los Angeles.

"Most Americans are not aware of their risk for osteoporosis," said Robert K. Rude, M.D., director of the bone and mineral clinic at Orthopaedic Hospital in Los Angeles. "They may not be diagnosed with the disease until their bones become so weak that a fall causes a fracture. At Orthopaedic Hospital, we want to let the public know that the effects of osteoporosis can be prevented if detected early and, in some cases, reversed," he added.

Dr. Rude recommends that women over the age of 50, who have risk factors for osteoporosis, and all post-menopausal women over the age of 65, be screened for this bone-thinning disease. Men over age 65 should be screened as well.

"Unlike many women, I get tested annually to make sure I'm not at risk for a fracture," said Hedren, who received her first DEXA screening at Orthopaedic Hospital in 2000. "Many women wait to get screened because they don't think it will happen to them, or because they think they can't do anything about it. What they don't know is that testing, along with diet and lifestyle, can go a long way in minimizing the effects of this disease," she added.

Hedren encourages men and women to take the first step in preventing osteoporosis and take advantage of Orthopaedic Hospital's low-cost $59 screening. Performed with the Hospital's new, state-of-the-art DEXA machine, the screenings will be interpreted by Dr. Rude.

"The procedure itself is painless and fast," said Dr. Rude. "While screenings can be done on the heel and wrist, Orthopaedic Hospital offers DEXA bone density testing which scans the hip and spine, the largest sites of bone mass in the body and major sites of osteoporotic fracture. DEXA testing is considered to be the best technique available," he added.

In order to take advantage of Orthopaedic Hospital's $59 screenings, call [phone] by November 30, 2003, mention code OPPR, and schedule your appointment by the end of the year.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Orthopaedic Hospital is a recognized world leader in patient care, teaching and research in orthopaedic medicine, resulting in an improved quality of life for children and adults with crippling disorders. For more information about Orthopaedic Hospital, please visit the website at www.orthohospital.org.

NOTE: Photos of Tippi Hedren and Dr. Rude available upon request.