Referring Physicians

As a general practitioner, Ob-Gyn or gerontologist, you most likely treat patients who have Osteoporosis. Often, patients with advanced osteoporosis suffer from painful vertebral fractures. Many studies indicate that a fraction of vertebral fractures are clinically recognized.⁽¹⁾ This is thought to be only a fraction due to both the absence of symptoms and to the difficulty in determining the cause of symptoms.⁽²⁾ Often, the first clue to vertebral compression fractures is acute onset of severe back pain and functional limitation due to back pain. So while these fractures are common in post-menopausal women, they are often not identified clinically. Therefore, it is important to become aware of the onset of vertebral compression fractures in order to provide diagnosis and appropriate treatment quickly before the condition progresses.

Partnering with a provider

Now you can help create awareness with your patients about the latest in treatment options for vertebral compression fractures. You can locate a physician trained in vertebroplasty and contact them directly or if you prefer we can provide you with additional information to help grow awareness of this procedure through your practice. We offer resources for referring physicians to help generate awareness for Vertebroplasty including:

• Patient Education materials including brochures and plexi glass holders
• General PowerPoint presentation focused on Osteoporosis and Vertebroplasty
• Clinical presentation on Vertebroplasty

For more information please contact us at 408-735-6256.

⁽¹⁾ Ross, P., Davis, J., Epstein, R., and Wasnich, R. "Pre-existing Fractures and Bone Mass Predict Vertebral Fracture Incidence in Women". Annals of Internal Medicine 114:919-923; 1991

⁽²⁾ Silverman, S. The Clinical Consequences of Vertebral Compression Fracture. Bone 13:S27-31; 1992

⁽³⁾ Harry K. Genant, M.D., Jiao Li, M.D., Chun Y. Wu, M.D., John A. Shepherd, Ph.D.: "Vertebral Fractures in Osteoporosis: A New Method for Clinical Assessment," J Clin Densitom 3(3):281-90; 1999

For more information, call
1-877-620-BACK or use our online request form.