May is National Osteoporosis Month, and James Webb, MD, a local bone health expert, is offering free bone density scans to qualified patients to improve access to care as well as raise awareness of the disease.
“Most people hear the word ‘osteoporosis’ and they think of a ninety-year old grandmother with a hip fracture. Unfortunately problems with bone health can impact younger patients and it also affects men.” Webb said. “Like heart disease or a stroke, people think it can’t happen to them until it’s too late. Fractures from bad bone health are a common cause of misdiagnosed back pain. If you’re concerned about your bone health, or you have back pain that no one has been able to help, give us a call.”
Interested participants should fill out this form or call the Dr. James Webb & Associates office at 918-260-9322 for a pre-screening. Priority will be given to those who have fallen and broken a bone, have a family history of osteoporosis, or take certain medications proven to reduce bone density. Pre-screening is needed to make sure that the test is medically indicated as well as to avoid regulatory hurdles.
“I really wanted to offer free screening to all patients who needed it – to raise awareness of bone health and to give back to this community that has been so supportive of us.” Webb says. “Unfortunately, government and insurance regulations actually won’t allow us to do that, so our focus is really for uninsured patients who need bone density testing.”
Appointments will be available on May 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with additional days available based on demand.
A bone density scan compares bone density to the bones of an average healthy young adult. The test results can help determine if you have osteoporosis, are at risk for it and can be used to determine the overall risk for having a fracture.
Osteoporosis occurs when the body’s bones become weak from low bone density, low bone quality or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from something as slight as sneezing or minor bumps. Most often, osteoporosis is a silent killer until a fracture occurs. Osteoporosis treatment and prevention can help.
“There is hope for slowing down and even reversing the effects of bad bone health,” said Webb. “The key is to catch it as early as possible and then treat it medically to reduce the risk of future fractures.”
