[Are orthopedic surgeons more aware of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the last decade?].

OBJECTIVES This study aims to whether orthopedic and traumatology specialists are more aware of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the last decade. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2002 and December 2011, 844 patients (560 females, 284 males; mean age: 78 years; range 60 to 94 years) who suffered from surgical fractures due to low-energy trauma and received no osteoporotic treatment previously without a diagnosis of secondary osteoporosis were included in the study. The rate of initiation of osteoporotic treatment for surgical fractures due to low-trauma energy was investigated. RESULTS Treatment initiation varied significantly according to the years (p=0.009), while there was no significant difference in the treatment initiation according to the diagnosis (p=0.735). In 2005 and 2008 years, a two-fold increase was seen in the initiation of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures. Over the years, increased awareness of diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic fractures was replaced with a decline. CONCLUSION Orthopedic surgeons are more aware of medical treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the last decade, but this is temporary.