Make No Bones About It: Get a Test

Osteoporosis, the progressive bone-thinning condition that affects more than 25 million Americans, mostly women, can be a crippling disease. But experts emphasize it is preventable with exercise, a proper diet and early detection.

To promote consumer awareness, Orthopaedic Hospital, 2400 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, is offering state-of-the-art DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) bone density screenings for a special price of $49 in May, which is National Osteoporosis Prevention Month.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include genetics, poor nutrition and age, with post-menopausal women especially vulnerable. However, doctors emphasize that prevention should begin in childhood with regular exercise and a balanced diet including 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.

Orthopaedic Hospital screenings, which take less than 30 minutes, will be offered weekdays. To make an appointment for a screening or to receive free prevention and treatment information by mail, call the hospital at (213) 742-1193.