Osteoporosis: Advances in Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, Surgical Treatment, and Regenerative Therapies

Dear Colleagues,

Osteoporosis is a leading cause of fragility fractures and consequent disability worldwide, yet it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Recent advances have expanded our understanding beyond bone mineral density. Novel diagnostic tools such as trabecular bone scores, vertebral bone quality assessment, high-resolution imaging, and circulating biomarkers, together with AI-driven risk prediction models, are improving our ability to detect disease and stratify fracture risk.

On the therapeutic side, new options are rapidly emerging. Beyond conventional antiresorptive and anabolic agents, monoclonal antibodies and dual-acting drugs such as romosozumab have transformed care, while regenerative strategies, including stem cell therapy, biomaterials, and tissue engineering, offer hope to patients.

Furthermore, surgical treatments for osteoporotic fractures—including those of the spine, proximal femur, distal radius, and proximal humerus—have evolved toward minimally invasive and biologically friendly approaches, such as percutaneous vertebral augmentation, minimally invasive fixation techniques, and expandable implants. These advances help reduce perioperative complications and facilitate early mobilisation, especially in elderly and frail patients.

Guidelines now emphasise personalised, evidence-based management, and real-world data are increasingly essential in evaluating effectiveness, safety, and adherence in a wide range of populations. Importantly, osteoporosis often coexists with frailty and sarcopenia, requiring an integrated, interdisciplinary approach in order to improve outcomes in ageing patients.

For this Special Issue, “Osteoporosis: Advances in Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, Surgical Treatment, and Regenerative Therapies”, we welcome contributions from around the world, including both original research articles and reviews, that can help advance precision medicine and long-term management for individuals at risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Dr. Yusuke Oshita
Dr. Takayuki Imura
Guest Editors

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• osteoporosis
• fragility fracture
• bone mineral density (BMD)