AAHS: Most hand surgeons would not treat osteoporosis, study finds

AAHS: Most hand surgeons would not treat osteoporosis, study finds

AAHS: Most hand surgeons would not treat osteoporosis, study finds

• RSi Communications
• 23/01/15

as presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Hand Surgery

Osteoporosis is a growing medical and economic burden. Hand surgeons are particularly well-positioned for the treatment of osteoporosis as they routinely see and manage upper extremity osteoporotic fractures. However, hand surgeons’ understanding, interest, and comfort with osteoporosis diagnosis and management is not well understood. 

To address that issue, investigators at the Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, e-mailed an internet-based survey to all members of the ASSH, with the approval of the society. Data were collected anonymously and included demographics, knowledge-based questions, and practice management patterns. In a presentation at AAHS, held in January in Paradise Island, Bahamas, the study authors presented the results. 

A total of 497 hand surgeons responded (82% orthopaedic and 9.6% plastic surgeons). Whether they routinely counsel patients about osteoporosis, 70% responded yes. Whether they would personally treat osteoporosis if they had dedicated training on the topic, 55% responded no. Even if they were financially penalized for not treating osteoporosis, 36% would still not treat it. Less than 2% believe that the treating surgeon should be responsible for treatment and 78% believe the primary care physician should treat osteoporosis. Reasons listed by more than 50% of the participants in the survey for not treating osteoporosis include no interest, unfamiliarity, inadequate training, and medico-legal liability. 

“There is a wide disparity and relatively poor understanding of osteoporosis and its treatment within the hand surgical community,” the study authors concluded. “Hand surgeons with orthopaedic training and are recent graduates are more likely to have a better understanding of osteoporosis diagnosis and management. Regardless, even though the majority of the surgeons counsel patients regarding osteoporosis after fragility fractures, most have very low interest in managing their osteoporosis and refer patients to their primary care physicians.”

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