Background Bone mineral density (BMD) is well-documented in relation to fractures of the spine, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus; however, its correlations with other fracture types are less established. This study aimed to analyze BMD and associated risk factors in older adults (≥65 years of age) with osteoporotic ankle fractures. These fractures involve low-energy trauma, resulting from falls from a standing height or lower, and occur from impacts which typically do not cause fractures in individuals with normal bone.
Methods This retrospective study analyzed data from 1,411 patients diagnosed with ankle fractures admitted to Chosun University Hospital between February 2012 and April 2023. After applying inclusion criteria (age ≥65 years; low energy ankle fracture) and exclusion criteria (high energy trauma, open/multiple fractures, missing dual X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), 73 of 1,411 patients were analyzed. Lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip T scores were obtained with a Horizon Wi DXA scanner, and associations with age, sex, mechanism of injury, comorbidities, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), and history of fractures were tested by ANOVA with Scheffe post hoc and Fisher exact tests.
Results Lower BMD correlated significantly with older age, female sex, and lower BMI (P<0.05) in older adults with ankle fractures. No significant associations were observed for comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, dementia), smoking, alcohol consumption, injury mechanism, or prior fractures.
Conclusion These results indicate that older age, female, and lower BMI are linked to reduced BMD in ankle fracture patients over 65 years of age. Focused osteoporosis screening and management may therefore be most beneficial for older, low BMI women presenting with ankle fractures.
Level of evidence: IV.
PURPOSE To evaluate whether progression of compression correlates with bone densiometry index in patients who were treated conservatively for osteoporotic compression fracture of thoracolumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the results of bone densiometry, 30 patients who were treated conservatively for osteoporotic compression fracture of thoracolumbar spine between March 2002 to March 2005 were categorized into 4 groups; above 80%, 70 to 80%, 60 to 70%, and below 60%. We compared the measurements of sagittal index and anterior vertebral height from the plain radiographs taken at the time of injury and following three consecutive months after the injury. RESULTS Patients with lower bone densiometry index had greater amount of compression at the time of injury and more rapid progression of compression. We also found that progression of compression was lowest during the first month after injury in all groups. CONCLUSION Patients with low bone densiometry index in osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture are susceptible to more rapid progression of compression and should have early brace application and longer duration of treatment for osteoporosis.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Comparison of Outcomes of Conservative Treatment, Early Vertebroplasty, and Delayed Vertebroplasty in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Se-Hyuk Im, Young-Joon Ahn, Bo-Kyu Yang, Seung-Rim Yi, Ye-Hyun Lee, Ji-Eun Kwon, Jong-Min Kim Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery.2016; 23(3): 139. CrossRef
Comparison of Outcomes of Conservative Treatment, Early Vertebroplasty, and Delayed Vertebroplasty in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Se-Hyuk Im, Young-Joon Ahn, Bo-Kyu Yang, Seung-Rim Yi, Ye-Hyun Lee, Ji-Eun Kwon, Jong-Min Kim Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery.2016; 23(3): 139. CrossRef
Progression of Compression and Related Factors in Conservative Management of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Young Do Koh, Jeong Soo Park Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2015; 28(2): 132. CrossRef