New Technology Helps in Fight Against Osteoporosis

Pender Community Hospital has installed a GE Healthcare Lunar Bone densitometer that measures the density of the spine, hip and other bones that are the most frequent sites of fracture.

The diagnostic device is designed to improve the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis, a skeletal disease characterized by low bone density that affects twenty-five million Americans.

"In just 30 seconds, the highly precise densitometer helps us identify risk at a much earlier stage," said Dr. Matt Felder, Pender Community Hospital Medical Director. "It can also evaluate response to treatment so that we know whether our therapy is effective or if we need to modify our approach."

If the patient's bone density is low, or decreases at an abnormally fast rate, the patient may be at risk for osteoporosis. Through diet, exercise or medication further deterioration of bone can be prevented.



Osteoporosis results in more than a million hip, spine and wrist fractures annually. It affects nearly one-half of all post- menopausal women, the largest group at his risk for osteoporosis. Each year, 50,000 people die from the disease.

While more women than men are diagnosed with osteoporosis, it is estimated that two million men, or about six percent of the population, have the disease. Because of their larger and stronger skeletons, men lose less bone mass as they age, but by age 65 or 70 men and women lose bone at the same rate. One in four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in his lifetime.

Dr. Felber encourages you to talk to your physician to find out if you're a candidate for a bone density exam. You should also check with your insurance carrier to see if it covers the exam. The exam is brief and comfortable, no preparation is required and it can be combined with a mammography. To schedule your bone density exam, talk to your physician.

"Recent research findings clarify the nature of the disease and demonstrate the effectiveness of new treatments. New diagnostic devices, such as the GE Healthcare Lunar Bone densitometer improve the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis," said Dr. Felber.

Dr. Felber encourages individuals to visit their family doctor and see if you would be a candidate for a bone density examination you may also want to check with your insurance company and check your insurance benefits. This test can be done in conjunction with having a mammography. There is no special preparation involved for the patient and, the exam is very brief and is a comfortable procedure for the patient.

The Bone Densitometer has to be scheduled through your family physician. Pender Community Hospital Radiology Department is pleased to offer this service. We hope you will continue to use our facility for this and other services.