The patient with a fragility fracture: An evolving role for the orthopaedic surgeon

T. J. Schnitzer, Lois E. Wehren*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Osteoporosis can now be diagnosed readily, and treatments that increase bone mineral density and decrease fracture risk, even after fragility fracture has occurred, are now available. Clinical guidelines for management of osteoporosis unanimously recognize that fracture risk is highest among those who have already sustained a fracture, and encourage prompt evaluation and treatment of these individuals. Despite these guidelines, most women who experience fragility fractures remain untreated (for osteoporosis) by any of the physicians involved in their care. Barriers to diagnosis and treatment have been identified, including uncertainty about the responsibility for such management. The orthopaedic surgeon has a unique opportunity to initiate definitive osteoporosis evaluation and treatment in patients who present with fractures, and recent guidelines support the evolution of the role of the orthopaedist in this direction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)101-104
Number of pages4
JournalQJM: An International Journal of Medicine
Volume97
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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