Osteoporosis is a bone thinning disease that affects 25 million Americans. It is often called a “silent disease” because it progresses without symptoms or pain until there is a broken bone, usually in the hip, spine, or wrist.

The Osteoporosis Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center is dedicated to the prevention, detection, and treatment of osteoporosis. We offer a range of osteoporosis services, including risk assessment, nutritional counseling, and physical and occupational therapy. We also facilitate a monthly support group.

For those at risk, early detection of low bone mass (bone density) is now possible with our bone densitometer. Bone densitometry is a safe, accurate, and painless procedure available for patients whose physician feels they need their bone health assessed.

Our new technology provides detection of vertebral fractures in addition to your bone density test when your physician requests it. Presence of a vertebral fracture raises the risk of future vertebral fractures and can effect treatment decisions.

Our Osteoporosis Center is one of the most comprehensive treatment programs in the state. A multi-disciplinary team of doctors, dietitians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers, stand ready to assist patients suffering the consequences of osteoporosis.

Our Osteoporosis Outreach Program includes a mobile unit containing equipment to test bone density. The mobile unit is transported to scheduled sites to provide quality bone density testing to rural communities.

For more information, call the Osteoporosis Center at 452-8850.