The Center's lead radiology technologist, Dena Putnam, analyzes the test results on a scan of a patient's hip.

Twin City Hospital is pleased to announce the opening of its newest health and wellness program-The Robert J. Kuba Center for Bone Health. Located at Twin City Hospital in Dennison, Ohio, this multi-departmental program provides risk analysis via screening and bone density imaging. Educational outreach programming, nutrition and diet management, exercise management, and laboratory testing are also provided under the direction of a board certified internist. The center is named in honor of the late Twin City Hospital board certified family practitioner, Dr. Robert J. Kuba. It aims to assist area residents with the risk analysis, diagnosis, and lifestyle changes and/or treatments of low bone mass (osteopenia) or osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Facts & Figures

Osteoporosis is a painful and crippling disease affecting both men and women that occurs when bone loss is so severe it causes bones to become porous, brittle and likely to break. The National Osteoporosis Foundation has identified osteoporosis and low bone mass (osteopenia) as a major public health threat for approx. 44 million total people of the U.S. population aged 50 and older. We start to lose bone mass around age 35-40. Risk factors for osteoporosis can include the following: cigarette smoking, loss of more than 1 inch of height in a one year period, low body weight (less than 127 pounds), estrogen deficiency, low calcium intake (lifelong), early menopause, low physical activity, and personal history of fractures as an adult. For more information about osteoporosis, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation website at www.nof.org.

Am I at Risk?

Dr. Rey Marquino and nurse Jody Golec discuss osteoporosis risk factors with a patient.

To determine your risk of osteoporosis, please take a few minutes to complete our online risk assessment questionnaire. You will receive your results within seconds. Then, share the results of the risk test with your family doctor. He or she might recommend that you have a bone mineral density (BMD) test and/or a lab test conducted to determine if you have low bone mass (osteopenia) or osteoporosis.

The Robert J. Kuba Center for Bone Health at Twin City Hospital features a state-of-the-art Hologic Delphi-C bone densitometer with Instant Vertebral Assessment (IVA) technology. Our trained technologists can perform bone density procedures for osteopenia or osteoporosis in 15 to 20 minutes. Bone density procedures are non-invasive and painless. The results of your bone density test will be provided to your physician in order to help he or she determine your osteoporosis risk level and identify any appropriate services you may need to improve your bone health. To schedule your bone density test, just call us at (740) 922-2800, ext. 2232.

Our Center also features advanced laboratory testing services that your physician might recommend in order to further assess your bone health. To schedule your laboratory test, just call us at (740) 922-2800, ext. 2208.

Help!   I have poor bone health. What can I do?

If, as a result of your bone density and/or lab tests, you are found to have low bone mass (osteopenia) or osteoporosis, your physician will advise you of steps you can take to minimize your risk of suffering a devastating fall or fracture. In combination with specific drug therapy to prevent further bone loss, your doctor may ask you to make lifestyle changes in your exercise and nutritional habits.

Nutrition plays a key role in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis; therefore, managing your diet is essential. At The Robert J. Kuba Center for Bone Health, a Registered Dietitian is available to discuss your individual dietary needs and to help you transition to a healthier lifestyle. Through nutrition counseling sessions and diet management seminars, you will rediscover the importance of a diet rich in nutrients. Educational pamphlets will be provided so that you can reinforce nutrition principles at home. To schedule your first nutritional consultation, call (740) 922-2800, ext. 2344.

Physical Therapy can help prevent and reduce the progression of osteoporosis through specially designed exercise programs that focus on improving your posture and enhancing your sense of balance. Our licensed physical therapists can promote the healing of fractures and help you reduce the disability caused by the disease process. To schedule your exercise management/physical therapy session at The Robert J. Kuba Center for Bone Health, call (740) 922-6675.

How Can I Learn More?

To learn more about osteoporosis and osteopenia, we recommend you read the osteoporosis-related articles provided on this website. You may also wish to visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation website at www.nof.org.

The Robert J. Kuba Center for Bone Health at Twin City Hospital also offers educational outreach programming. Speakers are available at no charge to come to your church, school, senior group, business and/or club to talk about osteoporosis and related topics. To schedule a speaker for your group, please call our Education Department at (330) 308-7376..