Health Night lecture scheduled for June 19

ROME, N.Y. >> Meet the experts and learn about state- of-the-art treatment for osteoporosis, the “silent disease,” and vertebral compression fractures associated with the disease at Rome Memorial Hospital’s Health Night Lecture at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 19. The free program will be held at Mohawk Valley Community College, Rome Campus, Room 150, 1101 Floyd Avenue, Rome.

Spine specialist Dr. Nicholas Qandah, FACOS, board certified neurosurgeon and medical director of Neurosurgical Services at Rome Memorial Hospital and Rena Hughes, PT, MS, Cert. MDT, director of business development and rehabilitation therapy services at Rome Memorial Hospital and Chestnut Commons Physical and Occupational Therapy, will present the program.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and loss of bone mass. As a result, weakened vertebrae are at high risk for fractures causing the vertebrae to collapse. A change in spinal alignment can lead to serious health problems including chronic pain, limited mobility, and decreased lung capacity.

This Health Night presentation will provide information on how to protect from osteoporotic fractures and the current minimally invasive treatments available such as kyphoplasty, used to treat spinal compression fractures in vertebrae weakened by osteoporosis. The goals of kyphoplasty are to reduce pain from the fracture, stabilize the vertebra and restore the vertebra back to its normal height.

Fellowship trained in complex and minimally-invasive spine surgery, Qandah has special interests and expertise in regenerative and less invasive treatments of the spine to get his patients better quickly and back to enjoying life.

As a physical therapist, Hughes has been helping people reduce pain and regain their mobility since she earned her master’s degree in physical therapy in 2001. She is certified in the McKenzie Method, a specialized protocol for treating neck and back pain.

Hughes joined Rome Memorial Hospital in 2009 and is responsible for outpatient therapy services at Chestnut Commons Physical and Occupational Therapy and inpatient therapy at the hospital.

Health Night is a free lecture series sponsored by Rome Memorial Hospital.

Advance registration is encouraged for planning purposes. For more information or to make a reservation, call 315-3375309. Refreshments will be served.

The free programon treatment for osteoporosis, the “silent disease,” and vertebral compression fractures associatedwith the disease will be held at Mohawk Valley Community College, Rome Campus.