Observational StudySurgeon-Initiated Bone Health Referral Pathway in Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Arthroplasty

Patients assigned in the endocrinology bone health referral pathway would be formally referred by the surgeon to see endocrinology for clearance before undergoing lower extremity arthroplasty. In addition to normal labs, the surgeon will initiate additional bone health labs in these patients before consultation with endocrinology. Endocrinology providers will be available for a virtual consultation to review the patients DEXA and bone health labs; start the patient on the appropriate medication; and provide patient education regarding osteoporosis and bone health. For those undergoing evaluation by endocrinology, these providers will let the surgical team know when and whether the patient has initiated treatment.

The control arm will be composed of patients identified in the osteoporotic range like the endocrinology bone health referral pathway. These patients will be told by the surgeon that the patient has osteoporosis based on the DEXA scan and will be told to follow-up these results with the patient's primary care provider. These patients do not need bone health clearance before undergoing surgery. Only serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels will be added on to the patient's standard of care pre-operative labs. The control arm is the current standard of care. Comparing this pathway to the endocrinology referral pathway permits an assessment on the efficacy of the new pathway.

Described in arm description