Proactive attitude could cut hip fractures by 25%

Researchers say that the annual number of hip fractures could be cut by at least 25% if doctors took a proactive stance towards osteoporosis screening and treatment.

The researchers studied data collected from more than 620,000 patients treated at 11 centers between 2002 and 2006. Patients were given bone scans using dual X-ray absorptiometry if they were: aged 50 and over with a history of fragility fractures (fractures not due to trauma), female aged 65 and over, male aged 70 and older, or if they were taking high doses of corticosteroids or other drugs. Next, patients with previous fragility fractures and those who were found to have poor bone density were enrolled on an osteoporosis education program. Those who needed osteoporosis treatment were given drugs and home safety checks in order to prevent falls. Finally, all at-risk patients were enrolled on a fall-reduction program, which included physical therapy.

During the study hip fractures dropped by between 23% and 61% across the 11 centers involved in the study, giving an average reduction of 37%. The researchers believe that some centers performed better than others because they had a long history of treating osteoporosis aggressively. They conclude: "The first step must be a more active role by orthopedic surgeons in osteoporosis disease management."

Dell R, Greene D, Schelin SR, Williams K. Osteoporosis Disease Management: The Role of the Orthopaedic Surgeon. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2008;90:188-194. doi:10.2106/JBJS.H.00628.