Diagnosis and therapy of osteoporosis in geriatric trauma patients: an update

Demographic changes confront clinicians with an increasing number of orthogeriatric patients. These patients present with comorbidities, which force their surgeons to take into consideration their medical condition. A major risk factor for fractures in orthogeriatric patients is osteoporosis in combination with frailty. To prevent subsequent fractures in these patients, we need to pay attention to adequate osteoporosis treatment in orthogeriatric patients. There is a huge treatment gap. In Germany, 77% of patients with osteoporosis are not treated adequately. Even after fragility fractures, a low percentage of patients receive a specific osteoporosis therapy. Secondary prevention is of great importance in the treatment of these patients. Diagnostics and treatment should be already initiated with the admission to the hospital. Treatment decisions need to be made individually based on the risk profile of the patients. After discharge, it is important to involve the patients’ general practitioners and to follow up on patients regularly to improve their compliance and to ensure adequate therapy. Establishing a fracture liaison service helps coordinating osteoporosis treatment during hospitalization and after discharge. Subsequent fractures can be reduced; therefore, it is an effective service for secondary prevention. The present article provides an overview of how an efficient identification and subsequent treatment of osteoporosis can be achieved in aged trauma patients.