300 Prospect Avenue
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Osteoporosis Clinic

At the Levi Osteoporosis Clinic, we are dedicated to helping you avoid bone fractures through early detection of osteoporosis. And we offer a free program of education about this condition that afflicts so many women of all ages. Osteoporosis is a weakening of bone density. Gone unchecked, osteoporosis can leave you extremely vulnerable to bone breaks and fractures. That’s why it’s vital to be periodically tested for osteoporosis. And thanks to our highly advanced equipment, that test is completely painless and simple.

For both our prevention and treatment programs, our goal is to maintain contact with our patients, at least monthly, through education and/or exercise programs. Education reinforces the importance of diet, rehabilitation therapy, medication usage, etc. Through on-site exercise, the interaction between staff and patients allows a continuous and informal assessment of the patient’s health status.

Our preventative program identified people who may not presently have osteoporosis but possess the risk factors that may lead to osteoporosis.

The Levi Osteoporosis Clinic offers a program of osteoporosis prevention and a program of osteoporosis treatment. Both programs involve numerous professionals from various medical and paramedical specialties including physicians, rehabilitation therapists, and dieticians.

• Post menopausal
• Lack of exercise
• Inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Smoking
• Consuming too much alcohol & caffeine, which interfere with adsorption of calcium
• Prolonged use of drugs or medication such as steroids, or aluminum-based antacids such as Maalox and heparin
• Diseases and hormonal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, certain cancers, and an overactive thyroid

Within the preventative program, patients are evaluated by other clinical disciplines such as nutritional counseling and medication education.

A Rehabilitation Services Therapists assists patients by presenting exercises that increase muscle strength, bone formation, circulation, and general well being.

Exercise classes led by rehabilitation personnel are held in the rehabilitation gym at Levi Hospital at 300 Prospect Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The Levi Director of Dietary Services assesses each patient’s diet history and helps each patient understand the effects of calcium, protein, alcohol, caffeine and sodium consumption.

In the absence of the patient’s personal physician, the Levi Medical Director reviews the patient’s medication history and (through a Levi registered nurse or licensed pharmacist) provides appropriate education to address the patient’s questions about their present medication regimen and related lab work.

The recommended frequency of medical follow-up within the preventative program is determined by the program director based upon the patient’s status.

Physicians involved in evaluation and treatment of patients with osteoporosis may include rheumatologists, endocrinologists, orthopedic surgeons, and gynecologists. Patients may enter Levi Osteoporosis Clinic through referral from the Program Medical Director or their personal physician. Once referred to the clinic, a patient’s records are evaluated by the Program Medical Director to determine the degree of osteoporosis. Levi Hospital purchased the Dexis machine, shown below, to provide state-of-the-art diagnosis of osteoporosis patients in a convenient setting. A written report will be provided to your physician by Dr. Bandy.

In addition to the initial evaluation (laboratory studies), appropriate x-rays may be required, and a baseline bone density is obtained (Lunar DPX IQ Compact).

Frequency of medical follow-up will be determined by the Program Director based upon the patient’s status. Some patient’s may require a frequent follow-up if they are having rapidly progressive changes such as worsening compression fractures, bone pain or rapidly progressive osteoporosis in the fact of corticosteroid therapy.

Within the treatment program, patients are evaluated by other clinical disciplines such as rehabilitation services, nutritional counseling, and medical education.

Rehabilitation Services therapists evaluate a patient’s posture, range of motion, balance, pain, and ability to perform daily living activities. A home exercise program-designed to maximize bone density, flexibility, and balance-is developed for each patient. Educational classes cover topics such as back care, joint protection principles, energy conservation techniques, and the use of adaptive equipment to aid personal independence.

The Levi Director of Dietary Services assesses each patient’s diet history and helps each patient understand the effects of calcium, protein, alcohol, caffeine, and sodium consumption. Each patient is taught the importance of proper nutrition as an integral part of osteoporosis treatment. A personal diet is developed for each patient in accordance with the physicians diagnosis.

The hospital pharmacist and/or nurse review each patient’s medication history and provides appropriate education for the patient answering questions about medications and their side effects.

For more information about the services and programs provided by Levi Hospital call (501)624-1281 Or e-mail us at billie@levihospital.com.

Copyright 1999