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Osteoporosis and the orthopaedic surgeon: basic concepts for successful co-management of patients’ bone health

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Abstract

Osteoporosis has been recognised as a public health concern for at least three decades but it has been relatively recent that the push has been for orthopaedic surgeons to take a more active role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Most often these patients are encountered after they have suffered a fracture making secondary prevention the area where orthopaedists may exert the greatest influence on patient care. The purpose of this article is to provide a succinct framework for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with decreased BMD. Patients are deemed to have decreased BMD if they have suffered a fragility fracture, a fracture caused by a low-energy traumatic event. These patients are often encountered in the emergency department and admitted for further treatment of their fractures or recommended for follow-up in the clinic. Regardless of treatment course these are opportunities for the orthopaedic surgeon to intervene in the osteoporotic disease process and positively affect a patient’s bone health. This article compiles the available literature on osteoporosis and presents it succinctly with the incorporation of both a diagnosis algorithm and treatment profile table. With the use of these two tools, orthopaedic surgeons everywhere should be able to take a more active role in their patients’ bone health.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock Street, 80204, Denver, CO, USA

    Ryan P. Farmer, Benoit Herbert, Derly O. Cuellar, Jiandong Hao, Philip F. Stahel, Robin Yasui, David J. Hak & Cyril Mauffrey

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  1. Ryan P. Farmer
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  2. Benoit Herbert
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  3. Derly O. Cuellar
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Correspondence to Cyril Mauffrey.

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Farmer, R.P., Herbert, B., Cuellar, D.O. et al. Osteoporosis and the orthopaedic surgeon: basic concepts for successful co-management of patients’ bone health. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 38, 1731–1738 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2317-y

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