“Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” The Book of Common Prayer Psalm 51, v. 5. Cf. Vulgate 1258

There's good news and bad news.

The good news is that Filipinos are living much longer than any other time in our history. The National Statistics Office (NSO) reveals that Filipino males now have life expectancy at birth of 67.60 years (compare this to mid 50s in the 1970s). Filipino females have even better stats – an average life span of 73.10 years (less than 65 years in 1970s). There’s more time to enjoy the golden years provided of course that one is in good health.

The bad news? Degenerative diseases and conditions will spike, a consequence of lifestyle choices in the past, errant genes, the toxic environment, and some say deliberate and programmed cell death (apoptosis).Still, much can be done on many fronts. On the bone, joint, and muscle aspects of aging, nothing less than a crusade will offset an epidemic of brittle, broken bones.

Fragility Fractures. By now just about everyone knows that the human skeleton becomes brittle with advancing age. The most common fragility fractures are seen in the wrist (distal radius), the shoulder bone (proximal humerus), the vertebrae (spine), and the hip (proximal femur). While most TV commercials highlight grandmother suffering from osteoporosis, after a certain age – past 70 – even males also become at risk from breaking bones from simple falls.

Free Osteoporosis Screening. A reliable diagnostic procedure for osteoporosis is bone densitometry. SPARC (a joint venture of The Medical City and Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation) is offering free osteoporosis screening. This was relayed to me by its Director, Dr. John Andrew Michael Bengzon. SPARC will be screening using a peripheral bone scan on March 8-11, 2010, Monday-Thursday, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. SPARC is at the Ground Floor of the Technology Building, Far Eastern University, Nicanor Reyes St., Sampaloc, Manila .

What can be done. Premenopausal women need 1,200mg of calcium and at least 400 IUs of Vitamin D every day. Postmenopausal women, and all men over 65 – 1,500mg of calcium and 800 IUs of Vitamin D every day. Vitamin D is important for better calcium absorption.

Busy people rely of course on pills and capsules but don’t forget calcium from natural sources such as broccoli, oatmeal, tofu, tuna, sardines, salmon, and nuts like almonds. As for lifestyle changes – what better way but exercise, avoiding tobacco, excessive alcohol use, and limiting caffeine (limit to 3 cups of coffee a day).

Should fractures occur, the public can be reassured that not all specialists are leaving. Your friendly neighborhood orthopedic surgeon will still be around.

Dr. Pujalte is an orthopedic surgeon. E-mail jspujalte@yahoo.com webpage http://www.orthopedicspujalte.com