A comprehensive overview of osteoporotic fracture treatment.

Overview

Osteoporosis is a worldwide epidemic, affecting more than 75 million people in the United States, Europe, and Japan. At a consensus conference in 1990, European and American leaders defined osteoporosis as a disease characterized by low bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, and a resulting increase in fracture risk. In 2000, the National Institutes of Health modified this definition, describing osteoporosis as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength and a predisposition for increased fracture risk. It was emphasized that bone strength, which is a more comprehensive concept than bone mass, integrates the concepts of both bone density and bone quality. As orthopaedic surgeons, recognizing osteoporosis and its healthcare implications is critical to optimize the musculoskeletal health of patients of all ages and both sexes.