Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Closing the Gap: The Case for Post-Fracture Care
Dec 16, 2025
Jared Torkelson, a physician assistant in Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic, and Matt Bruns, an orthopedic nurse practitioner at SSM Health, discuss the vital need for effective post-fracture care. They highlight the impact of comprehensive programs on reducing future fractures and minimizing healthcare costs. Listeners learn about the integration of telehealth, process improvements in care workflows, and measurement metrics to track success. The guests provide actionable insights for healthcare systems aiming to enhance their post-fracture care initiatives.
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High Unmet Need And Early Refracture Risk
- Osteoporotic fractures are common and under-treated, with a woman over 55 fracturing every 20 seconds in the U.S. and most over 50 receiving no formal osteoporosis care.
- Thirty-five percent of subsequent fractures occur within five years, with many happening in the first year, highlighting urgent prevention needs.
Rising Economic Burden Of Fractures
- Osteoporosis-related fracture costs will climb dramatically, projected at over $95 million by 2040.
- Preventing fractures with PFC can protect hospital capacity and financial margins.
Mayo Clinic Bone Health Clinic Experience
- Jared runs a bone health and FLS clinic and an infusion center, offering in-person and telehealth visits across a large rural area.
- Last year they saw 500 new bone health patients, mainly hip and wrist fractures.