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Want to know more about osteoporosis and osteopenia? We'll dive into these conditions and give you some handy tips on preventing future problems and taking care of your bones. What is Osteopenia? Osteopenia (low bone density) is the initial stage of bone mineral density loss, which can eventually progress to osteoporosis if steps are not taken to prevent it. What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens our bones. While it literally means “porous bone," it doesn’t mean that our bones are doomed to succumb to the changes that can happen to us silently over time. Our bones are living tissues that are constantly breaking down and remodeling themselves.  Osteoporosis and osteopenia are typically diagnosed by testing bone mineral density using scans that your primary care provider can easily order. This is important testing because it dictates your risk of breaking a bone in common areas like your hip, wrist or spine. It also helps set the stage for talking with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan. Most people will reach their peak bone mass in their mid to late twenties. There are several factors that increase our risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia as we age, such as menopause, genetics and other lifestyle factors. However, there are several things you can do to mitigate this breakdown and assist your body in the constant remodeling it does to our bones. 3 Controllable Factors to Build Strong Bones 1. Talk to your primary care provider They can go over a plan and prescribe things such as vitamin D, calcium and medications that can help if you are at risk or have osteoporosis or osteopenia. 2. Maintain a healthy diet Talk to a dietician if you need further help as they can be an invaluable resource to develop a plan.  Eat foods rich in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin C. These assist with the rebuilding of bone. Examples include but aren’t limited to leafy greens, legumes, salmon and healthy dairy products.  Don’t smoke — it directly correlates with a decrease in bone mass. Smokers also take longer to heal from a fracture.  Limit alcohol to two to three beverages per week. Alcohol interferes with the production of vitamins needed to absorb calcium and the hormones that help protect bones. 3. Exercise Talk to your primary care provider to get a referral to physical therapy if you need help with exercise.  Our bones adapt to the stresses we put them through. Therefore, exercise should be tailored to putting the right stress on our bones. There is good quality research that most exercise is safe when dealing with less bone mineral density.  The exercises should be progressively challenging and increase the load for resistance and weight training at least two to three days a week. Examples include squats, step-ups, chest presses and rows.  Exercises higher in velocity will lead to more power and bone adaptation. Examples include quicker push-ups, marching and quicker walks.  Exercises that are weight-bearing will lead bones to adapt to the stress placed on them. Movements such as mini stomps, step-ups, jumping, jogging and so forth may be used depending on how your body tolerates these things to really stimulate bone adaptation. There are aspects of aging and bone health we can’t control, but we can take steps to minimize the chances of bone loss and osteoporosis. Talk to your healthcare team to determine your risk and don’t forget to show your bones a little TLC – you’re going to need them.

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Personalized Robotic Surgery Renown Health is proud to offer Mako SmartRobotics™, an innovative solution for those suffering from painful arthritis in the knee or hip. Each patient is unique and can experience joint pain for different reasons. It's important to talk to your doctor about the reason for your joint pain so you can understand the treatment options available to you. It is common for patients to try medication and other treatments to treat their knee or hip pain. If you haven't experienced the adequate relief with those treatment options, you may be a candidate for Mako SmartRobotics™ for Total Knee, Total Hip, or Partial Knee replacement. How Mako SmartRobotics™ Works Mako SmartRobotics™ uses 3D CT-based planning software so your surgeon can create a personalized surgical plan. This 3D model is used to preplan and assist your surgeon in performing your joint replacement surgery. In the operating room, your surgeon follows your personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the implant. The surgeon guides Mako's robotic arm within the predefined area, and Mako's AccuStop™ technology helps the surgeon stay within the planned boundaries that were defined when the personalized preoperative plan was created. By guiding your doctor during surgery, Mako's AccuStop™ technology allows your surgeon to cut less by cutting precisely what's planned to help protect your healthy bone. It's important to understand that the surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon who guides Mako's robotic arm during the surgery to position the implant in the knee and hip joints. Mako SmartRobotics™ does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own or move without the surgeon guiding it. Mako SmartRobotics™ also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed. Why Choose Mako SmartRobotics™ In clinical studies, compared to manual surgery, Mako SmartRobotics™ procedures resulted in:  More accurate implant placement compared to manually surgery, which may result in improved outcomes and functioning of the joint. Less pain in the days and weeks following surgery. A shorter hospital stay. Quicker recovery, where 9 out of 10 patients were walking without aid, such as a cane or walker, three weeks after surgery. 97% of patients satisfied or very satisfied 10 years after surgery.

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