[Osteoporosis: assessment, prevention and treatment in Danish departments of orthopedic surgery].

Questionnaires were sent to all departments of orthopaedic surgery in Denmark and all departments of general surgery that treat patients with fractures in order to examine: A) whether patients with osteoporosis are identified, B) whether such patients are treated for osteoporosis, and C) whether doctors need more information about osteoporosis. Fifty-six departments (97%) returned the questionnaires. Eighty-eight percent of the departments do not refer the patients with low-energy fractures to bone mineral densitometry. Only 18% of the departments make further evaluations of patients with possible osteoporosis. Eleven percent of the departments treat patients with a low-energy fracture for osteoporosis. The medication used was typically vitamin tablets combined with calcium. One department used oestrogens and none used bisphosphonates. About half of the departments advised the patients about changes in their lifestyle, and half of the departments wanted more information about osteoporosis. In conclusion, few Danish departments with orthopaedic surgery functions evaluate and treat the cause of the fractures.