Background and Aims: Orthopedic surgery is an increasingly specialized discipline. The orthopedic surgeon is required to advocate for and occasionally manage patients with osteoporosis and other medical conditions. This practice is not consistent, yet some surgeons liberally provide certain supplements that have not been proven to provide any clinically relevant effect.
Methods: An electronic survey was designed to elaborate on the current trend in managing osteoporosis and the provision of supplements. It was distributed to the members of the Saudi Orthopedics association. The data were analyzed for association with practice setting and years of experience.
Results: Fifty-one members completed the survey. Most (60%) were from the public sector and in their second decade of experience. Most participants would screen patients using bone density measurements (88%), but most would stop there and refer to a specialist (55%). Most would provide their patients with calcium (80%) and vitamin D (86%). When it comes to other supplements -multivitamins, Vitamin B complex, chondroitin, and glucosamine- most either rarely provide it or do not provide it at all.
Conclusions: Orthopedic surgeons in Saudi Arabia are just as likely to screen patients for osteoporosis and start management as their counterparts in developed countries. The provision of some nutritional and other supplements remains prevalent even if its incidence is low.
Key words: Orthopedics, Nutritional supplements, Osteoporosis
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