Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease that is increasing in prevalence as people live longer. Because the orthopedic surgeon is frequently the first and often the only physician to manage patients with osteoporotic hip fractures, every effort should be made to prevent future fractures. A multidisciplinary approach is essential in treatment of osteoporotic fractures. Basic treatment includes calcium and vitamin D supplementation, fall prevention, hip protection, and balance and exercise programs. Currently available pharmacologic agents are divided into antiresorptive and anabolic groups. Antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates limit bone resorption through inhibition of osteoclastic activity. Anabolic agents such as parathyroid hormone promote bone formation.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous computed tomography (CT) and quantitative CT (QCT) in patients with osteoporotic hip fracture (OHF) by analyzing the osteoporosis detection rate and physician prescription rate in comparison with those of conventional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Materials and Methods: This study included consecutive patients older than 65 years who underwent internal fixation or hip arthroplasty for OHF between February and May 2015. The patients were assigned to either the QCT (47 patients) or DXA group (51 patients). The patients in the QCT group underwent QCT with hip CT, whereas those in the DXA group underwent DXA after surgery, before discharge, or in the outpatient clinic. In both groups, the patients received osteoporosis medication according to their QCT or DXA results. The osteoporosis evaluation rate and prescription rate were determined at discharge, postoperative (PO) day 2, PO day 6, and PO week 12 during an outpatient clinic visit.
Results: The osteoporosis evaluation rate at PO week 12 was 70.6% (36 of 51 patients) in the DXA group and 100% in the QCT group (P<0.01). The prescription rates of osteoporosis medication at discharge were 70.2% and 29.4% (P<0.001) and the cumulative prescription rates at PO week 12 were 87.2% and 60.8% (P=0.003) in the QCT and DXA groups, respectively.
Conclusion: Simultaneous CT and QCT significantly increased the evaluation and prescription rates in patients with OHF and may enable appropriate and consistent prescription of osteoporosis medication, which may eventually lead to patients’ medication compliance.

Purpose: Short stems have recently become widely used; however, concerns about the initial secure fixation of a short stem in osteoporotic bone remain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical and radiological results of using a short cementless metaphyseal stabilizing tapered stem for senile osteoporotic femoral neck fractures.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight arthroplasties (31 bipolar hemiarthroplasties and 7 total hip arthroplasties) were performed for osteoporotic femoral neck fractures in patients older than 65 years (10 males and 28 females). The mean age was 76.1 years and the mean follow-up was 2.9 years. We retrospectively evaluated clinical results, focusing on walking performance, thigh pain, and radiologic results, with special regard to signs of stem stability and osteointegration.
Results: Mean Harris hip score was 84.3 points and 68.4% of patients regained their preoperative walking performance. No patients complained about thigh pain. No osteolysis or loosening was observed during the follow-up, and all but 1 stem showed signs of stable bone ingrowth.
Conclusion: Short, metaphyseal stabilizing tapered stems could be a reliable treatment option for osteoporotic femoral neck fractures.

The aging of the Korean population is expected to result in an increase in the prevalence of hip fractures. The aim of this review is to evaluate potential hip-fracture trends in Korea during the last few decades. Data from a hip fracture-related epidemiology study informed by: (1) a cohort study; (2) hospital-based cohort study; and (3) claims database, were reviewed and summarized. The incidence of hip fractures rose from 159.1/100,000 in 2008 to 181.5/100,000 in 2012, and the total number of hip fractures is estimated to increase by 1.4 times over the next 10 years (35,729 in 2016 to 51,259 in 2025). The use of intramedullary nails has greatly surpassed the use of plates for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. The 1-year cumulative mortality rates in patients aged ≥50 years after hip fractures based on National Health Insurance Service data were 17.2% (3,575/20,849) in 2008 and 16.0% (4,547/28,426) in 2012; the decrease was mainly observed among women. In addition, the mean 1-year mortality rates were 21% for men and 15% for women, indicating that mortality was 1.4 times higher in men than in women. The number of hip fractures is rapidly increasing, and the incidence of hip fractures demonstrated a slightly increasing trend until 2012. Trends in the use of varying surgical options for treatments for femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures follow global trends. Although the high mortality rate after hip fractures in Korea remains concerning, a decrease in these rates over the study period was observed.

Periprosthetic bone loss may lead to major complications in hip arthroplasty, including aseptic loosening, implant migration, and even periprosthetic fracture. Such a complication leads to revision surgeries, which are expensive, technically demanding, and result in a low satisfaction rate. Therefore, a study was conducted of the factors affecting the periprosthetic bone loss around the stem that caused these complications. Factors influencing periprosthetic bone loss include demographic factors such as age, sex, obesity, smoking, and comorbidity including diabetes and osteoporosis. The implant design and fixation method are also factors that are determined before surgery. In addition, there are surgical factors, such as surgical approach and surgical technique, and we wish to investigate the factors affecting periprosthetic bone loss around the stem by comparing the effects of postoperative rehabilitation protocols and osteoporosis drugs.

Purpose: Although proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA; Synthes, Switzerland) has demonstrated satisfactory results when used for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures, mechanical complications may occur. To better quantify the risk of mechanical complications when proximal femoral nail antirotation is used to treat intertrochanteric fractures, this study aimed to: (1) characterize the frequency of mechanical complications and extent of blade sliding and their correlation with reduction quality and (2) identify factors associated with mechanical complications.
Materials and Methods: A review of medical records from 93 patients treated for intertrochanteric fractures with a minimum of 6-months of follow-up between February 2014 and February 2019 was conducted. Blade position was evaluated using Tip-apex distance (TAD) and Cleveland index. The extent of blade sliding was evaluated using the adjusted Doppelt’s method for intramedullary nailing. Individuals were classified as having or not having mechanical complications, and reduction quality and radiologic outcomes were compared between the two groups.
Results: Mechanical complications occurred in 12 of 94 hips (12.8%), with 11 out of 12 being from the intramedullary reduction group. There was no significant difference in TAD between groups; however, there were significant differences were noted in Cleveland index, AO/OTA classification, reduction quality and extent of blade sliding. The mean blade sliding distance was 1.17 mm (anatomical group), 3.28 mm (extramedullary group), and 6.11 mm (intramedullary group), respectively (P<0.001). Data revealed that blade sliding was an associated factor for mechanical complications (odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.51).
Conclusion: The extent of blade sliding determined using the adjusted Doppelt’s method was significantly associated with mechanical complications suggesting that prevention of excessive sliding through proper intraoperative reduction is important to help achieve satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Purpose: We analyzed the microstructure and bone mineral density (BMD) of the trabecular bone in the femoral head of patients with osteoporosis.
Materials and Methods: Sixteen femoral heads with osteoporotic femoral neck fractures underwent micro-computed tomography scanning. In each tip-apex distance (TAD) of 15, 20, and 25 mm, five regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted from the central, anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior sections. A total of 15 ROIs were extracted from TADs of 15, 20, and 25 mm. The measurement parameters included BMD, percent bone volume: bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), structural model index (SMI), and degree of anisotropy (DOA).
Results: The lowest BMD and BV/TV values were observed in the inferior region and differed significantly from those in other regions (P<0.05). Lower Tb.Th and Tb.N values were observed in the inferior region compared with those in the central region (P<0.05). The highest SMI value was observed in the inferior region (P<0.05). With TAD of 15 and 20 mm, the DOA values in the inferior region were lower than those in the anterior region (P<0.05). Lower BMD and BV/TV values were observed in the anterior, central, and inferior regions of TAD of 15 mm compared with those in the corresponding regions of TAD of 25 mm (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Positioning the lag screw between TAD of 20 to 25 mm and in the inferior region is recommended, and TAD of less than 15 mm is not recommended.

Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) and fragility fractures of the sacrum (FFS), which are emerging in the geriatric population, exhibit characteristics that differ from those of pelvic ring disruptions occurring in the younger population. Treatment of FFP/FFS by a multidisciplinary team can be helpful in reducing morbidity and mortality with the goal of reducing pain, regaining early mobility, and restoring independence for activities of daily living. Conservative treatment, including bed rest, pain therapy, and mobilization as tolerated, is indicated for treatment of FFP type I and type II as loss of stability is limited with these fractures. Operative treatment is indicated for FFP type II when conservative treatment has failed and for FFP type III and type IV, which are displaced fractures associated with intense pain and increased instability. Minimally invasive stabilization techniques, such as percutaneous fixation, are favored over open reduction internal fixation. There is little evidence regarding outcomes of patients with FFP/FFS and more literature is needed for determination of optimal management. The aim of this article is to provide a concise review of the current literature and a discussion of the latest recommendations for orthopedic treatment and management of FFP/FFS.

Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength, predisposing an individual to increased fracture risk. Many factors can lead to the development of osteoporosis. It is usually asymptomatic unless osteoporotic fracture and secondary changes of bone structure occur. Early radiographs show normal findings; however, osteopenic appearance, fracture, cortical bone thinning, and roughening of bone trabeculae can be found according to severity of osteoporosis. These symptoms are most frequently found in the spine and proximal femur. Bone mineral density (BMD) is the standard method used to diagnose osteoporosis, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), one of the measurement tools for BMD, is particularly regarded as the appropriate tool applicable to WHO criteria, which defines osteoporosis as a T-score of less than 2.5 SDs below the mean of young adult women. Peripheral densitometry is less useful in predicting the risk of fractures of the spine and proximal femur, and it is not enough to diagnose and treat osteoporosis. Biochemical bone markers have demonstrated utility in clinical research and trials; however, they cannot replace BMD as a diagnostic tool. WHO recently developed FRAX, a novel method we can use to more conveniently evaluate osteoporotic fracture risk.

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) after alendronate intake and to determine the side effects and patient compliance.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred twelve patients with osteoporosis were treated with alendronate. One hundred sixty-two patients were excluded because of early discontinuation. Thus, 50 patients were included in the analysis.
Results: The annual increase in BMD in patients taking alendronate was 7.2% (1st year), 3.4%, 2.0%, and 0.9% (4th year) in the L-spine, and 2.2%, 1.5%, -0.9%, and 0.9% in the femur. The changes in BMD of patients < 60 years of age were 2.1% in the L-spine and 3.4% in the femur. The BMD of patients between 60 and 69 years of age increased 6.3% and 0.5% in the L-spine and femur, respectively, and the BMD of patients >70 of age were 2.9% and 1.2% in the L-spine and femur, respectively. The BMD changes in patients with a T-score < -4.0 were 7.0% (L-spine) and 1.2% (femur), the BMD changes in patients with a T-score between -3.0 and -3.9 were 5.3% and 0.2% for the L-spine and femur, respectively, and the BMD changes in patients with a T-score > -3.0 were 2.5% and 3.1% for the L-spine and femur, respectively. The reasons for early discontinuation of alendronate were difficulty in intake, economic reasons, and adverse events.
Conclusion: The BMD changes were greater in the L-spine than the femu in alendronate users. At the first year, the changes in BMD was greatest. There was no significant difference in BMD change according to age. In the L-spine, however, BMD changes were greater in the group with lower T-scores. The early discontinuance rate was 74%, and the adverse events rate was 19.8%.