Optimizing Outcomes By Optimizing Bone Health

Abstract

Orthopaedic surgeons have long been aware of the importance of metabolic bone health for fracture healing; however, recent attention has focused on optimization of bone health before elective surgery and also regarding pathways to ensure patients have appropriate evaluation and treatment for bone health issues. It is important to describe issues of importance to fragility fracture care and prevention and optimization of outcomes before elective or fracture surgery. To address the challenge of who has the time, expertise, and appropriate patient contact to identify and treat patients at risk of bone metabolic issues, one model for a suggested pathway to ensure these patients are identified and treated is outlined.