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Fragility Fractures a bone. Even then, the break is frequently blamed on weather or age. Fragility Fractures are those fractures that occur with injuries that you would not think should break a bone. Examples include falling off the bed or wheelchair, slipping on ice, and several other low impact injuries. Classic examples include hip, back fracture and wrist (distal radius) fractures. Awareness is Key Fragility fractures are a result of weak bones. The most common cause of weak bones is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is very common. About 52 million Americans have or are at risk of osteoporosis. Of those, two million break a bone each year. This number is expected to double by 2040. Approximately one in two women and one in four men aged 50 years or older break a bone due to osteoporosis. While a wrist fracture may not have the most severe impact on life style, a back fracture, or worse, a patient with a hip fracture, may end up in a nursing home for life. There is also 25% increased risk of death following a hip fracture. One fracture may be a sign that another one is on its way. If you have a broken wrist, and suspect it is a fragility fracture, this is the perfect time to prevent a future, possibly much more serious, one. Prevention of fragility fractures Osteoporosis is a silent disease, and a lot of patients don't know about it until they break I invite you to ask the following questions: Was the injury bad enough or could it be that your bone is weak enough to break with a low impact injury? Do you think it is worth it to prevent a more serious injury? Would you like to get help to prevent similar injuries? There are a lot of simple things that can be done to prevent fragility fractures. 1. Start with your home. Optimize your home for fall-prevention by removing obstacles, such as books on the ground, wires, or toys. Install safety rails in the bathroom and use nightlight. 2. Optimize your vision and obtain regular eye checkups. Bad vision makes it easier to trip. Use your glasses as prescribed and make sure they are doing their job. Make sure there is enough light indoors. 3. Be aware of the environment. Do you expect ice outside home? Is it going to be slippery on the porch? Do you live on steep hill? Be careful when the weather is bad and when it is getting dark. 4. Take a fall prevention class. Join an exercise class that focuses on balance such as Tai Chi. 5. Review your medications with your regular doctor to ensure they are not making you drowsy or decrease focus or balance. 6. Optimize your Diet. Needless to say, Calcium, Vitamin D, and protein are very important for your bone health. A healthy diet, supported by doctor recommended supplements when needed can go a long way.* Testing and Treatment Patients who test positive for osteoporosis benefit from osteoporosis medications. The key point is to be tested. Women should have a bone mineral density test performed at the time of menopause and regularly afterwards. Elderly men and women, especially with a prior fragility fracture should be tested as well. Osteoporosis medicine can decrease risk of fragility fractures by half. Unfortunately, only 1 in 5 patients actually receive proper treatment and prevention measures. For more information about fragility fractures, please visit UpperExt.com *Recommended daily doses are 800-1,000 units of vitamin D per day and 1,000-1,500 mg of calcium per day.