Busamed Paardevlei boasts an Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Unit, which is a centre of excellence for the comprehensive management of osteoporosis and fragility fractures.
) What is osteoporosis?Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to a fragility fracture.
) What is a fragility fracture?A fragility fracture is a fracture that results from mechanical forces that would not cause a fracture in normal bone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has quantified this as forces equivalent to a fall from a standing height or less.
“Our approach to treating patients with fragility fractures aims to improve the chance of returning to the level of activity enjoyed before the fracture, in a shorter period and with fewer complications,” states the Paardevlei Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Unit located at Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital in Paardevlei Estate, Somerset West.
“We achieve this by using the latest evidence-based medical and surgical interventions in line with best international practice. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, treatment of fragility fractures, rehabilitation and prevention of falls and further fractures.”
The approach is as follows:. Rapid assessment and stabilisation in the Emergency Unit.. Admission into a specialist ward that is a centre of excellence.. Rapid assessment by a specialist physician as well as optimisation for surgery.. Surgery within 24-48 hours by well-qualified surgeons using scientifically proven techniques.. Optimal post-operative pain control to facilitate early mobilisation.. Mobilisation within 24 hours of surgery.. Transfer to an optimal facility for continued rehabilitation.. Preventing future falls and further fractures through physical activity recommendations.. Working in partnership to prevent frailty, preserve bone health and prevent accidents in older people.. Diagnosing and managing osteoporosis effectively through bone density testing and prescribing necessary medication.. Nutrition counselling and education.
It has been scientifically proven that patients who sustain osteoporosis-related neck or femur fractures and are treated by the unit’s dedicated multidisciplinary team (comprising physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, gynaecologists, physiotherapists, radiologists, emergency medicine specialists, dieticians and professional nurses), have better outcomes in terms of:. Improved survival. Shorter hospital stays. Fewer post-operative complications
The Paardevlei Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Unit is further supported by the hospital’s Emergency Centre that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is fully equipped to manage any medical emergency or injury resulting from an accident, or traumatic event. . For more information, contact the hospital on 021 840 6600. Alternatively, visit www.busamed.co.za/paardevlei.
