Medical Treatment in Patients with Osteoporotic Hip Fracture

WOS: 000269668900009The incidence of second hip fracture is high, reaching to 6-10% in the first four years after the first hip fracture. Previous hip fracture is not only a risk factor for subsequent hip fracture but also for other osteoporotic fractures including vertebra and distal radius. The incidences of osteoporotic diagnostic test requests including dual-energy X-ray absorbsiometry and treatment are still very low. Patients who undergo a bone mineral density examination are more likely to receive treatment. Therefore, ordering a bone mineral density examination in the orthopaedic clinics can dramatically improve osteoporosis evaluation and treatment rates following fragility fractures. Different guidelines all agree that older individuals with previous osteoporotic fractures should receive treatment. Calcium and vitamin D treatment forms the basis of any treatment for osteoporosis. The minimum effective dose to prevent osteoporotic fractures is 1200 mg/day for calcium and 800 IU/day for vitamin D. There are some effective agents to prevent hip fractures. There is a low rate of primary prevention and a still insufficient post-fracture therapy, along with an early discontinuation of osteoporosis medication in patients with previous hip fracture. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2009; 55 Suppl 1: 46-50