Bone density testing is done to determine if people have thin bone, a condition called osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis can cause significant problems including susceptibility to fractures that can cause severe pain and disability.

Finding patients at risk for osteoporosis can allow doctors to treat the condition before fractures occur.  The frequency that bone density tests need to be performed is controversial, and new research is showing that test may not need to be done as frequently in all patients.  Specifically, in patients who have a normal bone density at age 65, then next test may be able to be delayed for a decade or longer.

_{Sources: "Patients With Normal Bone Density Can Delay Retests, Study Suggests"}

Most doctors tell their patients that the success rate from ACL reconstructive surgery is between 90-95%.  But are the doctors talking about the same thing patients are talking about?  Often, not having a complication counts as a success for a doctor.

However, most patients are looking for something more.  Most want to get back to their preinjury level of athletics--maybe even a higher level of athletics.  But a recent study sheds some interesting light on prognosis from ACL surgery.

This study found that less than half of patients actually got back to their preinjury level of function.  Most doctors are surprised by this, and I suspect most patients are as well.  Certainly there are factors that can be controlled such as proper rehabilitation and precautions after surgery.  However, the best treatment is certainly to do everything possible to prevent injury to the ACL.

_{Sources: "Return-to-Sport Outcomes at 2 to 7 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery"}

Joint replacement surgery has been growing in numbers, and even more striking is the fact that more young patients are having joint replacement surgery.  Data from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shows that the number of hip replacements increased 78% in the last decade.  In that same time, the percentage of patients under the age of sixty-five having a hip replaced has gone up from 27% of the patients to 40%.

Having a joint replacement at a young age causes concern because the possibility of requiring additional surgery increases.  Implants do not last forever, and the younger the patient, the more likely they may need additional surgery.

Related: Hip Replacement in Young Patients | Knee Replacement in Young Patients

_{Sources: "As joint replacements grow more popular, younger patients face repeat surgeries" The Washington Post. January 3, 2011.}

_{Image © Medical Multimedia Group}

Everyone wants, and expects, their surgery to go well. But we all understand that surgery has the potential for complications. Some complications are more difficult to control, but we know that an experienced surgeon is often less likely to have as many complications. But how do you know if you have found a surgeon with enough experience?

Everyone looks for an experienced electrician, an experienced tax adviser, but how do you know you know you have found an experienced surgeon?

Related: How To Choose A Surgeon | Find A Doctor