Upper Extremity Fragility Fractures
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Monica M. Shoji; Tamara D. Rozental; Eitan M. Ingall
- Source
- The Journal of Hand Surgery. 46:126-132
- Subject
- medicine.medical_specialty
Standing height
Osteoporosis
Population
030230 surgery
Upper Extremity
Fractures, Bone
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Fragility
Bone Density
medicine
Humans
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
education
Aged
030222 orthopedics
education.field_of_study
Fragility fracture
business.industry
medicine.disease
United States
Orthopedic surgery
Physical therapy
Spinal Fractures
Surgery
Distal radius fracture
business
Osteoporotic Fractures
Bone mass
- Language
- ISSN
- 0363-5023
The population of elderly patients is rapidly increasing in the United States and worldwide, leading to an increased prevalence of osteoporosis and a concurrent rise in fragility fractures. Fragility fractures are defined as fractures involving a low-energy mechanism, such as a fall from a standing height or less, and have been associated with a significant increase in the risk of a future fragility fracture. Distal radius fractures in the elderly often present earlier than hip and vertebral fractures and frequently involve underlying abnormalities in bone mass and microarchitecture. This affords a unique opportunity for upper extremity surgeons to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and the prevention of secondary fractures. This review aims to outline current recommendations for orthopedic surgeons in the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity fragility fractures.