Screening for Falls and Osteoporosis: Prevention Practice for the Hand Therapist
published online 08 January 2010.
Abstract
Fractures of the upper extremity are considered a hallmark of underlying osteopenia or osteoporosis and strong predictors of subsequent fractures. Falling is the strongest single risk factor for fractures in older adults. Studies have shown that interventions to prevent falls can significantly reduce this risk factor. Hand therapists working with patients with an upper extremity injury from a fall cannot assume that screening for osteoporosis or the likelihood of falls has been addressed by other health care professionals. The purposes of this article are to 1) summarize osteoporosis and falls risk screening, 2) describe how fall prevention strategies can be integrated into hand therapy practice, and 3) present evidence for federal and professional organizational support of prevention practice.
School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Dallas, Texas
College of Health Professions, South University, Tampa, Florida
Occupational Therapy Department, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
Correspondence and reprint requests to Mary Thompson, PT PhD, GCS, Texas Woman's University, School of Physical Therapy, 8194 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75231