Evaluation of osteoporosis in orthopedic practice: a review of current diagnostic modalities.

It is increasingly recognized that osteoporosis should be of utmost importance to all, because of the large size of the affected population and the staggering implications of osteoporotic fractures on morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent conditions associated with aging, and, as the demographics shift toward an older population, a dramatic increase in the number of osteoporotic fractures is expected in coming years. Fortunately, osteoporosis is a disease that can be easily diagnosed, owing to the growing armamentarium of diagnostic tests that should be familiar to orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, rheumatologists, gynecologists, and generally all physicians with a special interest in bone metabolism.