eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Systemic Diseases

Osteoporosis: Follow-up

Author: Julie Lin, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Assistant Attending Physiatrist, Physiatry Department, Hospital for Special Surgery
Coauthor(s): Joseph M Lane, MD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Chief, Metabolic Bone Disease Service, Hospital for Special Surgery
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Apr 30, 2009

Follow-up

Complications

  • Complications resulting from osteoporotic fracture can include chronic pain from vertebral compression fractures and increased morbidity and mortality secondary to vertebral compression fractures and hip fractures. In addition, overall quality of life can be impaired by the presence of these fractures and their consequences, such as immobility.

Prognosis

  • Patients with osteoporosis can increase bone mineral density and decrease fracture risk with the appropriate antiosteoporotic medication. In addition, patients can decrease their risk of falls by participating in a multifaceted approach that includes rehabilitation (see Activity) and environmental modifications, among others.

Patient Education

  • Patient education is paramount in the treatment of osteoporosis. Many patients are unaware of the serious consequences of osteoporosis and only become concerned when osteoporosis manifests in the form of fracture. Early prevention and treatment are essential in the appropriate management of osteoporosis.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Bone Health Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Osteoporosis and Understanding Osteoporosis Medications.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Patients must be made aware of the serious consequences that can arise from osteoporosis, including increased morbidity and mortality. Patients who must receive appropriate medical and nonmedical management of their osteoporosis include those at highest risk, such as patients who have had one osteoporotic fracture.
 


More on Osteoporosis

Overview: Osteoporosis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Osteoporosis
Treatment & Medication: Osteoporosis
Follow-up: Osteoporosis
Multimedia: Osteoporosis
References
Further Reading
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References

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  14. [Best Evidence] Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Wong JB, Stuck AE, Staehelin HB, Orav EJ, et al. Prevention of nonvertebral fractures with oral vitamin D and dose dependency: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. Mar 23 2009;169(6):551-61. [Medline].

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Further Reading

Clinical guidelines

Bisphosphonates (alendronate, etidronate, risedronate), selective oestrogen receptor modulators (raloxifene) and parathyroid hormone (teriparatide) for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) - National Government Agency [Non-U.S.].  2005 Jan.  51 pages. [NGC Update Pending] NGC:005419

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® osteoporosis and bone mineral density. American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society.  1998 (revised 2007).  12 pages.  NGC:005990

Diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement - Private Nonprofit Organization.  2002 Aug (revised 2008 Sep).  67 pages.  NGC:006738

Physician's guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Medical Specialty Society
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Medical Specialty Society
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Medical Specialty Society
American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society
American College of Rheumatology - Medical Specialty Society
American Geriatrics Society - Medical Specialty Society
American Medical Association - Medical Specialty Society
International Society for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Medical Specialty Society
National Osteoporosis Foundation - Disease Specific Society
The Endocrine Society - Disease Specific Society.  1999 (revised 2003 Apr).  37 pages.  NGC:003073

Related eMedicine topics

 Hip Fracture

Idiopathic Scoliosis

Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures

Subtrochanteric Hip Fractures

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty, Percutaneous

Clinical trials

 Randomized Trial of Osteoporosis Intervention Strategies in Hip Fracture Patients

Strategies to Treat Osteoporosis Following a Fragility Fracture

Osteoporosis Choice Decision Aid for Use of Bisphosphonates in Postmenopausal Women

Patient- and Physician-Based Osteoporosis Education

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Keywords

osteoporosis, porous bones, weak bones, metabolic bone disease, hip fracture, vertebral compression fracture, dowager hump, dowager's hump, scoliosis, collagen defect, bone fragility, decreased bone mass, decreased bone mineral density, decreased BMD

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Julie Lin, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Assistant Attending Physiatrist, Physiatry Department, Hospital for Special Surgery
Julie Lin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, North American Spine Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Joseph M Lane, MD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Chief, Metabolic Bone Disease Service, Hospital for Special Surgery
Joseph M Lane, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of University Professors, American Federation for Aging Research, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, Medical Society of the State of New York, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, National Osteoporosis Foundation, North American Spine Society, and Orthopaedic Research Society
Disclosure: P & G; Roche; Lilly: Aventis: Novartis: Spinewave; biomimetics; Zimmer; DFine; Innovative Solutions; Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Medical Editor

Miguel A Schmitz, MD, Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedics, Klamath Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic
Miguel A Schmitz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Jerome D Wiedel, MD, Chair, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of International Physicians, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD, Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine
Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Arkansas Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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