A fragility fracture may be defined as a pathological fracture that results from minimal trauma (e.g. a fall from a standing height) or no identifiable trauma at all [8]. The fracture is both a sign and a symptom of osteoporosis.

Which type of fracture is associated with osteoporosis?

It often develops unnoticed over many years, with no symptoms or discomfort until a bone breaks. Fractures caused by osteoporosis most often occur in the spine. These spinal fractures — called vertebral compression fractures — occur in nearly 700,000 patients each year.

What is considered a fragility fracture?

Fragility fractures are fractures that result from mechanical forces that would not ordinarily result in fracture, known as low-level (or 'low energy') trauma. The World Health Organization (WHO) has quantified this as forces equivalent to a fall from a standing height or less.

What causes a fragility fracture?

The most common cause of fragility fractures is osteoporosis, but other causes include: Bone cyst. Cancer. Inherited bone disorders.

How are fractures related to osteoporosis?

What Is an Osteoporotic Fracture? Osteoporotic fractures are a result of osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become more fragile due to bone deterioration or low bone mass. Bones that are weaker or more fragile are at greater risk for fractures. Fractures occur commonly in the spine.

Fragility Fractures

15 related questions found

Does a fracture mean osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced.

Will broken bones heal if you have osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis doesn't affect the healing process of bone. So if you do break a bone, rest assured it can heal as normal. Some broken bones need an operation to help them heal, while others get better on their own. A broken bone usually takes between six and 12 weeks to heal, although this can be longer.

How common are fragility fractures?

Each year, almost a third of over 65s fall at least once and there are an estimated 500,000 fragility fractures.

What are the most common site of fragility fracture secondary to osteoporosis?

The most common sites for fragility fracture are the vertebrae, hip (proximal femur) and wrist (distal radius). Other sites affected include the pelvis, ribs, arm and shoulder.

What are the most common types of fragility fractures?

Spine. Spine fractures are the most frequent fragility fractures and the second ones for morbidity and mortality in the elderly group after hip fractures. The incidence rises with age becoming around 25% in postmenopausal women.

Is ankle fracture considered a fragility fracture?

Fragility fractures of the ankle occur predominantly in elderly, osteoporotic women. The pattern of the fracture is either bi- or tri-malleolar at the level of the ankle, or supra-malleolar of the tibia and fibula just proximal to the syndesmosis (Fig. 1). The mechanism of injury, if recalled, is often trivial.

What fractures are deemed to be fragility fractures?

A fragility fracture may be defined as a pathological fracture that results from minimal trauma (e.g. a fall from a standing height) or no identifiable trauma at all [8]. The fracture is both a sign and a symptom of osteoporosis.

What is considered moderate osteoporosis?

A T-score of -1.0 or higher is normal. A T-score between -1 and -2.49 indicates osteopenia (early thinning of bones) and is graded as mild, moderate, and advanced. T-scores of -2.5 or more indicate osteoporosis. MORE FROM THE DOCTOR. Prevent Osteoporosis.

What are the four most common types of fractures seen in osteoporosis?

Consistent with current clinical experience, the fractures rated most likely due to osteoporosis were the femoral neck, pathologic fractures of the vertebrae, and lumbar and thoracic vertebral fractures. The fractures rated least likely due to osteoporosis were open proximal humerus fractures, skull, and facial bones.

Is a stress fracture a fragility fracture?

History and examination are often enough to make the diagnosis. Stress fractures are seen in otherwise healthy individuals, and whilst osteoporosis is a risk factor, they are not generally considered fragility fractures.

What bones are most vulnerable to osteoporosis?

Although all bones can be affected by the disease, the bones of the spine, hip, and wrist are most likely to break. In older people, hip fractures can be particularly dangerous.

How do you diagnose osteoporosis?

To diagnose osteoporosis and assess your risk of fracture and determine your need for treatment, your doctor will most likely order a bone density scan. This exam is used to measure bone mineral density (BMD). It is most commonly performed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) or bone densitometry.

How are fragility fractures diagnosed?

Osteoporosis is diagnosed by the presence of a fragility fracture or by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the absence of a fragility fracture. In 2011, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that all women ≥65 years should be screened for osteoporosis by DXA.

What percentage of fractures due to osteoporosis are vertebral fractures?

Vertebral fractures are the hallmark of osteoporosis. They are the most common osteoporotic fracture with prevalence estimates of 35% to 50% among women older than 50 years. About 700 000 vertebral fractures occur each year in the United States.

Is osteoporosis a risk factor for falls?

Osteoporosis is well known to increase the risk of falls and fall related injuries (i.e, a fracture) (Cheong, Peh, & Guglielmi, 2008; Guglielmi, Muscarella, Leone, & Peh, 2008).

Is radial head fracture a fragility fracture?

Background: Identifying radial head fractures as fragility fractures may improve case-findings for osteoporosis and thus be an indicator other fragility fractures.

What is a normal T score for bone density?

As shown in the table below, a T-score between +1 and −1 is considered normal or healthy. A T-score between −1 and −2.5 indicates that you have low bone mass, although not low enough to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. A T-score of −2.5 or lower indicates that you have osteoporosis.

How easy is it to break a bone if you have osteoporosis?

Just as a twig is easier to break than a branch, so it goes with thin bones versus thick. If you're living with osteoporosis, you've learned that your bones are thinner than is ideal for your age. This puts you at greater risk for experiencing bone fractures or breakages.

What is the life expectancy of a person with osteoporosis?

The average life expectancy of osteoporosis patients is in excess of 15 years in women younger than 75 years and in men younger than 60 years, highlighting the importance of developing tools for long-term management.

Will I end up in a wheelchair with osteoporosis?

Counting hospital stays, surgeries, office visits and nursing home visits, osteoporosis costs almost $19 billion in related costs every year. 4. It is preventable and treatable. You do not have to end up in a wheelchair!