Urgent Call for Osteoporosis Awareness in Nigeria

Dr. Sundai Adeoy, an orthopaedic surgeon, addressed the serious consequences of fragility fractures, which are primarily caused by osteoporosis, during the inaugural meeting of the Osteoporosis Care Network in Ibadan, organized by Health Dynam Synergi Intern.

He explained that fragility fractures occur from minimal trauma, indicating poor bone strength, and are often associated with conditions like low bone mineral density. Common sites for these fractures include the hip, spine, wrist, and upper arm.

Adeoy noted that vertebral fractures frequently go undiagnosed and can be mistaken for ordinary back pain. He highlighted that hip fractures can be devastating, with a 20% mortality rate within one year despite treatment.

Furthermore, he pointed out that patients who sustain a fragility fracture have an 86% higher risk of experiencing another within two years. Adeoy advocated for a multidisciplinary approach to managing fragility fractures and emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and access to bone health services.

Mr. Ola Balogun discussed the role of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in diagnosing osteoporosis, noting the limited availability of this technology across Nigeria.