Fall Prevention and Osteoporosis (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- 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
Why is a Fall Likely to Cause a Broken Bone?
The force and angle of a fall
The force of a fall (how hard a person lands) is a significant factor in whether a person will have a broken bone or not. For example, falling a longer distance increases the risk of fracture, so a taller person has a greater risk of a broken bone from falling than a shorter person does. The angle of a fall is also important. Falling sideways or straight down is more likely to cause a broken bone than falling backwards. Any bone will break if the force from the fall is strong enough and if the fall occurs at a certain angle, but reducing the force of the fall or falling at a less dangerous angle may prevent fracture.
Protecting oneself during a fall
Using one's reflexes and changing one's body position during a fall can protect a person from breaking a bone, especially the hip. Putting one's hands out to catch oneself is a reflex during a fall. If a person lands on his or her hands or grabs onto something while falling, he or she is less likely to break a hip, but the fall could break the wrist or arm. Remember that even though a broken arm or wrist is painful, it is less likely to cause long-term disability or death compared to a broken hip.
Landing on a softer surface could reduce the risk of a fracture. That is why hip (trochanteric) pads are recommended for some people. For example, hip protectors may be a good idea for people in nursing homes or people who have already had a broken hip. Hip protectors are worn to reduce the impact of trauma and protect the bone when a fall occurs from a standing position. Studies have demonstrated that these hip protectors can protect people at risk of a broken hip.
Next: What is the Link Between Osteoporosis and Risk of Broken Bones from a Fall? »
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Osteoporosis »
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bony microarchitecture.

