Evidence-Based Strategies for Patients With Osteoporosis (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Kathryn Brewer

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This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.
Recently published guidance for physical therapy management of patients with osteoporosis is essential for evidence-based prescription of comprehensive care. Osteoporosis (OP) is a lifelong chronic condition requiring ongoing assessment/reassessment and intervention strategies for patients with low bone density and history or risk for fragility fracture. Underdosing and inadequate education for safe physical activity and beneficial health behaviors to reduce the risk of falls and fractures are common oversights. Posture correction, osteogenic loading, and resistance training should be included in exercise prescription. A collaborative approach among multidisciplinary providers is recommended. This course will review the newest evidence to inform clinical decision-making for this population, applicable to all treatment settings where geriatric patients receive physical therapy care.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss key concepts of comprehensive and lifelong care of patients with low bone density and fracture risk
- Implement and integrate evidence-based, patient-centered strategies related to interventions for strength, balance, posture, and safe movement
- Differentiate guidelines for variations of resistive exercise based on primary OP without fracture, primary OP with fracture, and secondary OP (premenopausal)
- Access resources to support clinical decision-making in bone health for older adults
Meet your instructor

Kathryn Brewer
Dr. Brewer graduated with her degree in physical therapy from The Ohio State University and received her Master of Education degree from the University of Cincinnati. Her doctorate degree is from Temple University. She has been certified as a geriatric specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists since…
Chapters & learning objectives

1. Validating the Need for Comprehensive Care
We are in a payer-driven care system, where we often do not have opportunity to address a condition until symptoms (or, in this case, fracture) becomes an issue and patients seek care. For this population, care becomes focused on the acute fracture without assessment or intervention for osteoporosis or falls risk to reduce future fracture incidence. A plan of care that includes thorough education and chronic management is essential.

2. The Physical Therapist’s Role in a Multidisciplinary Team
Specific components of assessment and treatment for patients with osteoporosis will be discussed. History and appropriate tests and measures inform the clinician for necessary education, and interventions to support a comprehensive plan of care will be reviewed.

3. Comprehensive and Individualized Exercise Prescription
This chapter will review considerations before providing exercise prescription, including risk factors present, suspected low bone density or presence of OP without fracture, known low bone density or osteoporosis with history of fracture, and secondary osteoporosis. Designing interventions to support goals for posture, mobility, safe movement/spine sparing strategies, and osteogenic loading will be reviewed. This chapter also provides a brief review of the comprehensive approach for patient care management of individuals with osteoporosis. Reference to physical therapy and medical resources will be provided.

4. Question and Answer Session
This chapter is a viewer-submitted question and answer session facilitated by Amber Richardson.