Osteoporosis: doctors warn of late diagnosis and insufficient treatment

The German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery (DGU) is calling for greater awareness of osteoporosis — a disease that makes bones fragile and prone to fractures. The statement comes in connection with World Osteoporosis Day, observed today.
According to experts, the main problem is that osteoporosis often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Consequences:

• Many patients learn they have the disease only after their first fracture.
• Around three-quarters of people with osteoporosis receive no treatment at all.
• Without therapy, one in three patients suffers a new fracture within a year of the first one.

At the same time, bone density measurement—a simple and non-invasive procedure—takes only a few minutes and can prevent countless fractures.

According to the DGU, osteoporosis-related fractures cost the German healthcare system around €13.8 billion per year, while only about €250 million is spent on treating the underlying disease itself.
Experts believe that early diagnosis and timely medical treatment can not only reduce the risk of fractures and disability but also save billions of euros and thousands of lives.

Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 20. Oktober 2025 Source