Living with and Managing Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease affecting 10.3% of individuals living in the United States. As the aging population continues to rise, the prevalence of Osteoporosis will also rise. The most predominant risk within this disease are fractures, which can result in medical costs over $215 billion annually. Research in rehabilitation reveals there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of Osteoporosis. There is also little evidence about the lived experience of people diagnosed with Osteoporosis. The purpose of this literature review is to gain a better understanding of the disease process, review the medical management of Osteoporosis including physical therapy, pharmacology, and alternative therapies. Additionally, we are examining the use of qualitative research methods to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of Osteoporosis. The ultimate goal is to guide clinical decision making in physical therapy treatment plans