Are orthopedic surgeons more aware of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the last decade?

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to whether orthopedic and traumatology specialists are more aware of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the last decade.
Patients and methods: Between January 2002 and December 2011, 844 patients (560 females, 284 males; mean age: 78 years; range 60 to 94 years) who suffered from surgical fractures due to low-energy trauma and received no osteoporotic treatment previously without a diagnosis of secondary osteoporosis were included in the study. The rate of initiation of osteoporotic treatment for surgical fractures due to low-trauma energy was investigated.
Results: Treatment initiation varied significantly according to the years (p=0.009), while there was no significant difference in the treatment initiation according to the diagnosis (p=0.735). In 2005 and 2008 years, a two-fold increase was seen in the initiation of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures. Over the years, increased awareness of diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic fractures was replaced with a decline.
Conclusion: Orthopedic surgeons are more aware of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the last decade, but this is temporary.