Only those who have experienced a fracture can truly understand how painful and debilitating it can be. As a caregiver helping your parent recover is probably your first priority. However, your doctor will also want to determine whether this fracture is a symptom of osteoporosis.
People with osteoporosis are at greater risk for future fractures. For anyone over age 50, there is a very good chance the fracture is related to osteoporosis.
Many people are unaware of the link between a broken bone and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, or "porous bone," is a disease characterized by low bone mass. It makes bones fragile and more prone to fractures, especially of the hip, spine, and wrist.
Osteoporosis is called a "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People typically do not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, twist, or fall results in a fracture. Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans.
In the United States today, approximately 10 million people already have the disease and almost 34 million more are believed to have low bone mass, which leaves them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Of the 10 million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis, eight million are women and two million are men. One in two women will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Although it is a condition that predominantly affects women, men can get osteoporosis too. One in four men will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. At least 90 percent of all hip and spine fractures among older white women can be attributed to underlying bone fragility. Moreover, women near or past menopause who have sustained a fracture in the past are twice as likely to experience another fracture. Yet, unfortunately, only 5 percent of patients with osteoporotic fractures are referred for an osteoporosis evaluation and medical treatment.