Update on the Comprehensive Approach to Fragility Fractures.

Overview

The prevention and treatment of fragility fractures continuously evolve. Adequate fracture care should involve treating the fracture itself and the underlying bone disease. Although effective treatments of osteoporosis are available, a large proportion of patients with fragility fractures are not prescribed antiosteoporotic medications after their injury. Recent advances in diagnostic tools, medications, and implementation of Fracture Liaison Services allow for more effective and comprehensive treatment or fragility fractures. In the Fracture Liaison Service model, a physician and physician extenders coordinate care. This includes a thorough medical and surgical history, metabolic bone disease laboratory testing, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry screening, treatment, and long-term follow-up. Treatment options include nonpharmacologic treatment with calcium and vitamin D and antiresorptive and anabolic agents. Antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates and denosumab are first-line treatments for osteoporosis and anabolic agents such as teriparatide are effective in reducing bone density loss and have implications in fracture healing. In addition, new anabolic agents including antisclerostin antibodies and parathyroid hormone-related protein show promise as potential treatments to increase bone density.