Losing bone mass is an inevitable part of aging according to Matthew Jimenez, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. The question, he says, is how can we slow down or even reverse the process?

“I’m concerned that a number of individuals are experiencing fragility fractures caused by weakened bones,” Dr. Jimenez says. “These fractures are a result of both low-impact trauma and decreased bone density caused by osteoporosis – a highly treatable, but silent disease that gradually thins and weakens the bones.”

Mary Hickey, 86, of Niles learned that it’s never too late to seek treatment. Hickey underwent a double hip replacement six years ago under Dr. Jimenez’s care. She was in so much pain that she forced to use a wheelchair to get around and had to sleep sitting up in a chair for four months prior to surgery because her legs would swell and she couldn’t lie down.

“I told Dr. Jimenez I would much rather take a chance at surgery at my age than to continue to go on with that amount of pain -- it was not a way to live,” Hickey said.

After surgery, Hickey went through rehabilitation where ‘everything cracked.’ But today she is walking without the use of a cane or walker, does her own shopping and housework and no longer suffers from major pain.

“I never thought I’d be able to get around like I do,” Hickey said. “I have a few aches like anybody who gets to be my age, but overall I feel great.”

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, one in two women and one in four men over 50 years old will be diagnosed with osteoporosis.

As a trauma surgeon with a busy clinical practice for the past 15 years, Dr. Jimenez became increasingly concerned with the rise of low-impact fractures among his elderly patients. To combat this problem, Dr. Jimenez recently launched the Foundation for Education and Musculoskeletal Research (FEMR), a nonprofit public charity serving Chicago-area residents, to increase osteoporosis awareness and prevent disabilities related to bone trauma.

“We need to stop the deadly cycle of bone loss causing fractures, which leads to disabling complications and sometimes death,” Dr. Jimenez said. “My goal for FEMR is to identify and empower individuals at risk for fragility fractures through early diagnosis, education on treatment options and lifestyle modifications.”

Although medicine and science have made giant strides in improving musculoskeletal health care, the prevalence of chronic illness and rates of disability for those age 85 and older are projected to rise significantly as ‘baby boomers’ reach retirement age.

FEMR plans to launch a fall and fracture prevention later this year that targets older adults in the Chicagoland area to identify seniors at risk for fall-related injuries and assess fall risk factors such as chronic health conditions, physical impairment, medication and alcohol use as well as environmental hazards. The goal of the program is to promote evidence-based interventions for risk reduction including medication review, vision and nutrition assessment, home and environmental modification and early osteoporosis screening.

“Education and prevention are the keys to a healthier future and quality of life,” Dr. Jimenez said.

For more information about FEMR, visit www.boneknowledge.org, call 1-877-321-FEMR or contact Dr. Jimenez at 847.324.3937.

Dr. Jimenez will chair the 11th Annual Chicago Trauma Symposium July 30 through August 2 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. The symposium is an educational course on the surgical management of complex trauma and musculoskeletal injuries.

For more information, go to www.chicagotraumasymposium.com.