Can distal radius or vertebra fractures due to low-energy trauma be a harbinger of a hip fracture?

Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether or not low-energy distal radius or vertebra fractures are harbingers of hip fracture.

Patients and methods: A total of 142 patients had surgical treatment due to hip fracture in our clinic between February 2013 and January 2017. The patients had low-energy fractures before hip fracture, and they received either medical treatment for osteoporosis or not before hip fracture developed.

Results: Of 142 patients, 32 had distal radius, humeral neck, ankle, vertebra fractures and 15 had a second hip fracture. The patients were determined to have most frequently a distal radius and vertebra fracture before hip fracture. The treatment of osteoporosis was determined to be neglected in 58% of 47 patients in total who had a fracture previously.

Conclusion: Distal radius and vertebra fractures are the harbingers of a potential hip fracture. Physicians, especially orthopedists, who face with these fractures should be careful in terms of osteoporosis.