Distal Radius Fractures and Bone Health: A Survey of Hand Surgeons

Following low-energy distal radius fractures (DRF) patients rarely receive a bone health evaluation. The purpose of this survey was to investigate the att itudes and practices of American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) members regarding osteoporosis and low-energy DRF. An electronic survey was sent to 4,125 members of the ASSH. Physicians were asked about referral patt erns, comfort level with labs and imaging related to bone health, and barriers. There were 475 responses (response rate 11.5%). Most respondents always (33.1%) or often (32.8%) talk about osteoporosis risk after low-energy DRF. Most respondents (87.6%) do not routinely order metabolic labs. Less than half knew of an available Fracture Liaison Service. Barriers to discussion included not enough time (32.6%), not comfortable with the topic (12.6%), and not within practice scope (33.3%). Respondents reported variable comfort levels discussing and implementing osteoporosis care in the sett ing of lowenergy DRF. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(3):155–160, 2022)

Key words: osteoporosis, distal radius fractures, bone health