Fall Prevention and Osteoporosis

• Fall Prevention and Osteoporosis Introduction
• What are the Risks for Falling and What Causes a Fall?
• Why is a Fall Likely to Cause a Broken Bone?
• What is the Link Between Osteoporosis and Risk of Broken Bones from a Fall?
• How Can I Protect Against Having a Broken Bone from a Fall?
• Fall Prevention and Osteoporosis Conclusion
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Fall Prevention and Osteoporosis Introduction

Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become less dense, resulting in weak bones that are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks (fractures). Fractures associated with osteoporosis can take a long time to heal and can cause permanent disability and even death.

• Fractures commonly occur in the hip, spine, and wrist.



• Osteoporosis is the underlying cause of more than 1.5 million fractures annually (300,000 hip fractures, approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures in other areas).



• The estimated national cost (hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporosis and related injuries is $14 billion each year in the United States. 

Osteoporosis is not just an “old woman’s disease.” Although it is more common in white or Asian women older than 50 years, osteoporosis can occur in almost any person at any age. In fact, more than 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and in women, bone loss can begin as early as age 25 years. Anyone with osteoporosis, male or female, young or old, is at risk for broken bones from falls. However, most falls do occur among elderly single women.

Because osteoporosis has no symptoms, people may not be aware that they have decreased bone density (osteopenia) or osteoporosis. Falls are especially dangerous for people who do not know they have weak or less solid bones. If a bone does break from a fall, a person's activities may be limited while the bone is healing. Surgery or a heavy cast may be necessary, and physical therapy may be required to resume normal activities.
 
Three factors are related to whether or not a bone breaks from a fall: the fall itself, the force and direction of the fall, and how fragile the bones are. Prevention of falls is very important for people with osteoporosis because of their fragile bones. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

• Of all broken hips, more than 90% are associated with osteoporosis.



• Falling is the cause of the fracture in 9 out of 10 older Americans with a broken hip.



• A hip fracture makes an elderly person 5-20% more likely to die in the first year after this injury than other elderly people.



• Of elderly people living without assistance before a hip fracture, 15-25% still need care in long-term care institutions a year after their fracture.



• Most falls happen to women in their own homes in the afternoon.

Next: What are the Risks for Falling and What Causes a Fall? »

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