Osteoporosis and hip fractures

Abstract

With the median age of the United States growing increasingly older, osteoporosis is rapidly becoming a major public health concern. One of the most devastating complications from osteoporosis is a fragility fracture, which negatively impacts both healthcare expenditure and patient outcomes. Hip fractures are particularly worrisome, as they account for over 70 % of total fragility fracture treatment costs despite constituting less than 15 % of these fractures [1]. The disproportionate contribution is due to comprehensive management that includes emergency care, inpatient hospitalization, and physical rehabilitation. Despite these interventions, 1-year mortality is approximately 25 %, and up to 70 % of patients will suffer permanent residual functional impairments or physical limitations [2, 3]. These patients are also at greater risk of subsequent fracture and must be carefully followed [2]. Therefore, treating and preventing osteoporotic hip fractures are critical to reduce costs, morbidity, and mortality. In this chapter, we will discuss osteoporosis management, fragility fracture risk factors, and interventions to treat and prevent these fractures.