With aging of the population, osteoporotic fractures are becoming an increasing medical problem world-wide. It has been estimated that 2,700,000 patients experienced a low energy fracture in the Polish population in 2010. On the basis of contemporary world standards and publications in the field of orthopaedics and trau-matic surgery, a summary of the principles of management of osteoporotic fractures is presented. Both general problems of fracture treatment in elderly patients as well as difficulties in surgical and conservative treatment resulting from osteoporotic bone abnormalities are discussed. Special attention is paid to preoperative and postoperative procedures in patients with proximal femur fractures. Also presented is a contemporary strategy for the treatment of fractures of the distal forearm, proximal humerus and vertebrae. General principles of diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis are discussed.
Keywords: fracture prevention; fracture treatment; osteoporosis; osteoporotic fractures; proximal femur; secondary fractures.