Screening for falls and osteoporosis: prevention practice for the hand therapist.
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.
Thompson
Mary
M
School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA. mthompson@twu.edu
Evitt
Celinda P
CP
Whaley
Mirtha Montejo
MM
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D056344:Executive Function; D005239:Fear; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D018908:Muscle Weakness; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications*; D010808:Physical Examination; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors