Osteoporosis results in significant morbidity and medical costs while effective treatment options are also evolving.

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are considered standard antiosteoporotic medication. Other antiresorptive treatment options of osteoporosis include selective oestrogen receptor modulators, hormone therapy, tibolone, and calcitonin. In addition, bone anabolic strontium ranelate is available for primary treatment of osteoporosis, and parathyroid hormone for more severe bone fragility. RANK/RANKL induced osteoclast activity modulating denosumab is the newest compound for the treatment of osteoporosis. These osteoporosis medications are, in most cases, combined into relevant doses of calcium and vitamin D.

Although the efficacy of BPs in controlled trials is evident, there are concerns with regards to adherence and compliance. This precludes the antifracture efficacy of some bisphosphonate regimens, especially oral substances, in clinical setting. In addition, it has been speculated that long-term use of BPs could result in pathologic fractures.

The long-term bone protective and possible adverse effects of the other osteoporosis medications also need further research. Furthermore, there have been reports on extraskeletal effects of vitamin D on falls, strontium ranelate on osteoarthritis, and denosumab on bone erosions in rheumatoid arthritis which need more detailed appraisal. Also, the effects of different osteoporosis medications on fracture healing remain to be unresolved.

The main focus of this special issue is on new issues in the management of osteoporosis. We seek both original experimental or clinical research papers as well as review articles. The special issue will become a critical forum for researchers to discuss the most relevant issues on treatment of osteoporosis. The topics to be covered include, but are not limited to:

• Incidence and mechanisms of pathologic fractures and other adverse effects due to BPs
• New methods for improving targeting of and adherence to the treatment of osteoporosis
• Long-term efficacy of BPs and other osteoporosis therapies
• Factors behind nonresponse to BPs and other osteoporosis therapies
• The effects of osteoporosis risk assessment tools on cost effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment
• Extraskeletal effects of osteoporosis therapies
• Future and experimental therapies for osteoporosis
• Effects of osteoporosis medication on fracture healing
• New preventive strategies for management of osteoporosis

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/josteo/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: