Rehabilitation of orthopedic and rheumatologic disorders. 1. Osteoporosis

This self-directed learning module reviews and summarizes recent literature on osteoporosis. It is part of the chapter on rehabilitation of orthopedic and rheumatologic disorders in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Prog ram for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The areas covered include pathophysiology of primary and secondary osteopo rosis, effects of various pharmacologic treatments on bone metabolism, and the utility of available diagnostic tests. Management strategies for perime nopausal women as compared,vith postmenopausal women with established osteo porosis are discussed. This is followed by an evaluation and management pla n for the older man with acute osteoporotic fracture. (C) 2000 by the Ameri can Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.