Healthy living is key to the prevention of age-related bone changes
A discussion of bone health and healthy aging was provided by Julie A. Switzer, MD, for UMRA’s February 2023 Living Well Workshop. She discussed how bones age over time and ways to prevent that aging. Dr. Switzer is nationally and international known for her interest in and research, publications, and presentations on bone health and musculoskeletal care in the older population.
She initiated her discussion with a few apropos lyrics from a song, “When the Bones are Gone, the Rest Doesn’t Matter.” This was followed by an overview of bone aging and how bone fractures affect health, particularly over the age of 60. The common fractures are in the radius bone at the wrist, the vertebral bones of the spine, and the hip. The latter is more common in people over 80 and has a significant impact on quality of life and mortality.
Next, Switzer described normal bone by comparing it to the concrete used by the Romans, rich in lime that fills the cracks that occur, along with water, and aggregate. The composition is similar to human bones, except human bones are alive, and respond and remodel when exposed to external stress such as weight-bearing and resistance exercise. However, the bones start aging after 30 years, increasing over time in both men and women, though greater in the latter at menopause. And when a fracture occurs, the potential for another fracture is increased.
Exercise is essential
The major message Switzer provided is that healthy living is the best approach to the aging process and to the prevention of age-related bone changes including fractures. Her approach to healthy aging includes four parts: exercise, diet, healthy habits, and osteoporosis medications. Of these, she said, exercise is the most important, both weight-bearing and resistance exercise, along with balance training and fall prevention education. Some exercise examples: walking, tennis, team sports, dance, and Tai Chi. When asked which exercise is best, Dr. Switzer responded, “Whatever exercise you like to do.”
A balanced diet includes foods rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D (the sun helps here, too), and some magnesium. Taking osteoporosis medications is essential when indicated. There are a number of effective ones and working with your health provider will determine what works best for you. Healthy habits include not smoking, controlling alcohol intake, and living like residents in the Blue Zones described by Dan Buettner—where moving naturally, feeling a sense of purpose, enjoying social interaction, and downshifting are common denominators.
This was a well-attended and informative workshop, including an engaging Q&A, with a real expert in the field.
—Frank Cerra, MD, UMRA Program Committee member
Bone health and aging
Tue, February 21, 2023, at 11am
Julie A. Switzer, MD
Medical director of geriatric orthopedics
TRIA Healthy Aging
Event to be held via Zoom.
Minnesota Top Doctor Julie A. Switzer, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with specialization in upper extremity and geriatric orthopedics. She has dedicated the majority of her career to making a substantive difference in the care of older patients. Her topic as the guest speaker for UMRA's Living Well Workshop on Tuesday, February 21, via Zoom will be bone health and aging—a topic of great interest to UMRA members.
She is medical director of geriatric orthopedics for TRIA Healthy Aging and HealthPartners’ Masters Orthopedic Program. In this role, Switzer has spent the majority of her 20-year career dedicated to establishing and leading an interdisciplinary, protocol-driven program focused on enhancing care for older fracture patients in the perioperative period; preventing subsequent fractures in elderly fracture patients; and working with vulnerable populations of elders with musculoskeletal problems. Her work on healthy aging focuses primarily on the comprehensive care of arthritis, the most common chronic musculoskeletal condition of aging.
Switzer currently serves as co-chair for the American Academy for Orthopaedic Surgeons Clinical Practice Guideline Workgroup on Hip Fractures in Elderly Patients; is a founding member and board member of the International Geriatric Fracture Society, presently serving as vice president; is on the board of the Fragility Fracture Network; and is on the steering committee of the American Orthopaedic Association’s Own the Bone program.
She recently retired as an associate professor from the University of Minnesota Department of Orthopedic Surgery.
Go to z.umn.edu/umra-workshop-February-2023 and register now for this Zoom webinar at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21.
—Frank Cerra, UMRA Program Committee
Upcoming Events
"Things that drive me crazy" will be the theme when the UMRA Photo Club meets on February 11. Newcomers are welcome.
Many life challenges that get in the way of quality of life and good health at home have little to do with medical issues. Cathy Lauring, our presenter for UMRA’s February 18 workshop, will explore a variety of resources to assist in keeping us healthy at home—including physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial services.
John Bantle will lead the discussion of A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson when the UMRA book club meets via Zoom on February 21.
Join UMRA members to watch two of the best hockey teams in the nation. UMRA has negotiated a discounted ticket price of $33.
Barbara Klick, RN, MBA, the presenter for UMRA’s February 25 Forum, has decades of experience working in human and veterinary medicine, and will bring her wisdom and perspective to our discussion about what we can learn from our pets about facing end-of-life challenges and decisions.
The Fourth Friday Book Club will meet via Zoom on February 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. CST to discuss The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
Will Craig discusses using local sources for family history.
The UMRA Hiking Club will explore wildlife along the Mississippi River in Fort Snelling State Park. The 3.9-mile Pike Island Loop is generally considered an easy route and takes just over an hour. Hikers can leave at that point, or stay to add another short loop. The trail is located below the bluff on which the historic fort sits. The last time we were there we saw a lot of deer, and the river always provides fascinating views.
The University of Minnesota Archives, with its major holdings largely tucked away in two huge underground caverns along the Mississippi River under the West Bank campus, holds the essential records of our University of Minnesota’s past. University Archivist Erik Moore will explain the holdings and role of our extensive university archive and bring out a sampling of what it holds. At the end of our visit, he will conduct a tour of the literally cool caverns (Minnesota Library Access Center), revealing where these precious materials are housed, including the original tapes of KUOM, now Radio K.
Family history open discussion.